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I had this same issue last year during the winter in Boston with my 1997 900S and thought it was solved, but it occured again today, stranding me! Here are the symptoms:
1. Car will turn over at a healthy speed, but will only sputter and fire occasionally (at least until the 20th or 30th time I try to start it). So probably not the battery. Always plenty of fuel in the tank.
2. Eventually (and I mean after a good 20 to 30 minutes of trying) and only sometimes I can get it started (it ended up being stuck in a parking lot for over a week last year until the temperature climbed above 35F). It slowly starts to catch for longer each try, running for a few seconds never above and often exactly at 1000RMP until it slowly dies. Then, it will catch, run at 1000RMP and almost die, then all of a sudden, the RPM's shoot up to 1500 or 2000 for a second or two, then it settles back down and runs normally.
3. It always seems to do it AFTER it starts in cold weather and is driven up to temperature and then is shut off and left for a good 6-8 hours. Example: I started it this morning at 5AM at 21F and it started fine. Drove to work, left it for 10 hours in a parking lot, came out and tried to start it at 34F and it wouldn't start.
4. It ONLY does it in cold weather. Amazingly enough, heating the gas lines leading into the engine (or at least heating the back side of the engine near the throttle body) seems to help it start when it is uncooperative. In fact, I warmed the gas lines today with my hands and by breathing on them, and in the past used hot water and/or a blow dryer, always speeding the starting times and success rate.
What I've done to try to fix the issue, none of which have made an impact:
1. Put a couple of bottles of anti-water products into the gas tank to remove water if there is any (my first instinct for the problem).
2. Put a couple of bottles of Chevron with Techron fuel system cleaner through (in fact, I just put some in yesterday).
3. Cleaned out the IAC unit and throttle. Did that yesterday too, it was pretty gummed up and the car does idle better now, as well as solved the stumble at stop issue, but it does nothing to solve the starting problem apparently.
Can water in the tank or fuel filter stay there for this long (over a year)? I've ruled out the battery and plugs, but I've heard of some people replacing the coolant temp sensor. Could this be the culprit? I'm thinking of taking it to a mechanic to see what he can do. Should I try the coolant sensor before I try expensive things like the fuel pump and fuel filter? Much more of this and I'm going to have to replace my starter motor soon! I'm desperate for a fix as I don't want to be stranded again in the cold and I appreciate any help or advice I can get!
DJK57
1997 900S 2.3L
86,000mi
3" Airbox Mod
posted by 68.38.10...
, Wed, 15 Dec 2004 18:24:51
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