I recently bought a 1985 Fiero with the Iron duke. Now, the one thing I've noticed is that it takes a bit of cranking before it starts. Is it normal for a car with throttle body injection such as this to crank for a while before starting? That was one explanation I came up with. Based on the way fuel enters the cylinders, I figured it could just naturally take a while for the fuel to get into the cylinders when starting. I know our newer cars with port injection will start after just a couple cranks, but the fiero cranks for 1-2 seconds before starting. Doesn't sound normal to me, and I know the V6 fieros we looked at didn't do it, but I believe those use a different type of injection.
So do I need to go searching for issues? Or is it normal?
Not Normal, if you turn the key on, wait a couple of seconds for the fuel pump to "prime", then hit the key, it Should Start within a couple of revolutions. if it won't, something is not right.
Alright, just took a video. Here's what it does...
Looking online a bit, I'm thinking it may be the fuel filter. We ordered a new one a few days ago and it should be here soon, so We'll see what that does.
Yeah, my rotation sensor doesn't work, so it wouldn't tilt for me. And I messed up the brightness, so you couldn't see anything half the time...
But that starting is normal? That's good. It did get better over the course of the day though. I've started it 5 or 6 times over the course of the day, and after the first two, they all were pretty much like the one I filmed. Any idea what could cause this? Would my guess of fuel filter be correct?
My '85 duke when cold will take about 2 seconds of cranking to start - also a little cloud of blue smoke will go off. After that it never smokes. Only on the cold start during the first few seconds.
When hot it's usually like maybe one rev to star (less than 0.5s). No smoke.
Originally posted by Patrick: And by the way, there's nothing wrong with the way your engine starts.
I agree, there is nothing wrong with the way your car starts, There is however something wrong if it really is running over 3k when it first starts. Even mine, 86 SE, only goes to like 2k and only for a few seconds.
Not sure what the problem with that is but you should be looking into that, hey it starts and that's better than a lot here have.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
I agree, there is nothing wrong with the way your car starts, There is however something wrong if it really is running over 3k when it first starts. Even mine, 86 SE, only goes to like 2k and only for a few seconds.
Not sure what the problem with that is but you should be looking into that, hey it starts and that's better than a lot here have.
Steve
It doesn't go over 3k. It goes up to around 2500 RPM for like 15 seconds then drops to around 2k, and eventually rests at around 1500 RPM.
is 2500 normal?
Keep in mind, this is an iron duke. 4 cylinders do tend to idle higher than V6s, correct?
[This message has been edited by I_N_J (edited 09-21-2015).]
Note: If ECM doesn't "prime" the FP or has long crank time then first check FP Relay then Power and ground for FP. If car has AC then switch relays. Both use same relay.
Car with start/run after OP switch sees >4psi oil pressure but does take longer for starter to spin engine.
Low power or iffy ground can kill FP. See my Cave, Starter
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
It doesn't go over 3k. It goes up to around 2500 RPM for like 15 seconds then drops to around 2k, and eventually rests at around 1500 RPM.
is 2500 normal?
Keep in mind, this is an iron duke. 4 cylinders do tend to idle higher than V6s, correct?
No I don't think it is normal to go to 2500, I thought it hit 3 but really didn't watch it more than once. But others here may have had different experiences.
Note: If ECM doesn't "prime" the FP or has long crank time then first check FP Relay then Power and ground for FP. If car has AC then switch relays. Both use same relay.
Low power or iffy ground can kill FP. See my Cave, Starter
Ok, wow..... It's not your fuel pump relay, and certainly not your starter. It's probably not a low power issue, and I seriously doubt that it a grounding issue. I guess he did not read the thread or watch the video before posting. Maybe its your windshield washer level? LOL
Seriously, you clearly said you can hear the fuel pump, and that you waited for it to turn off before cranking. You also said you had over 13 volts, so I doubt it is a low power issue.
I do not know what it sounds like on the first crank of the day, but the one you demonstrated in the video is what I would call a completely normal crank to start time. Your crank time compares with many newer cars that I have driven.
BTW, welcome to the forum from a fellow Michigander! Yea, I am in Florida now, but Michigan born and raised!
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 09-22-2015).]
Originally posted by JohnWPB: Ok, wow..... It's not your fuel pump relay, and certainly not your starter. It's probably not a low power issue, and I seriously doubt that it a grounding issue. I guess he did not read the thread or watch the video before posting. Maybe its your windshield washer level? LOL
Seriously, you clearly said you can hear the fuel pump, and that you waited for it to turn off before cranking. You also said you had over 13 volts, so I doubt it is a low power issue.
I do not know what it sounds like on the first crank of the day, but the one you demonstrated in the video is what I would call a completely normal crank to start time. Your crank time compares with many newer cars that I have driven.
BTW, welcome to the forum from a fellow Michigander! Yea, I am in Florida now, but Michigan born and raised!
That's good.
I did start it again yesterday, but didn't film it. It sounded the same as the one I filmed.
Yeah, I Guess what I'm used to is the function on newer cars where you don't need to hold the key. You turn it to the start position and let go, and it'll crank for as long as it needs to. Guess that's what happens when you're raised in cars that do everything for you...
Sorry, Wrong link... Why iffy power/ground is a big problem... Should be: See my Cave, Electric Motors
I think you meant "wrong thread"
Did you read the thread, and/or watch the video? It has nothing to do with watts & amps & grounds & bad relays in this case...........
In fact, the post right above yours pretty clearly explains the question he started this thread for:
quote
Originally posted by I_N_J: I Guess what I'm used to is the function on newer cars where you don't need to hold the key. You turn it to the start position and let go, and it'll crank for as long as it needs to. Guess that's what happens when you're raised in cars that do everything for you...
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 09-22-2015).]
Hold your camera in the correct orientation!
