Start - Restart problems?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Tue 16 Apr 2002 10:54
Start - Restart problems? - DBE
There has been correspondence in the past on the subject of cars being reluctant to restart after having been driven a very short distance (like out of the garage to wash it) and then switched off.

All to do with the circuitry or something in the ECU. My question is, which are the best/worst cars for this?
Donald
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Tue 16 Apr 2002 11:25
Re: Start - Restart problems? - Andy P
Neither my last two Cavaliers ('89 SRi & '95 SRi 16V) or my current Accord ('00 2.0SE), nor my father's Civic ('97 1.4) have ever suffered from this problem, despite a lot of short trips up and down the driveway.

Andy
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Tue 16 Apr 2002 18:18
Re: idea for HJ to compile a list? - jack
Seems an ideal research project - unless HJ already has a list - results could be added to FAQ's or Breakdown section.
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Tue 16 Apr 2002 19:56
Re: idea for HJ to compile a list? - John S
jack

It's a byproduct of modern catalysed cars. Its occurence depends on a very particular set of circumstances, (car, engine temp, air temp, how long it ran for etc) and I'd guess it would be difficult to replicate reliably.

Despite the postings here I don't believe it's a major issue, but I believe it can affect any car, given the correct circumstances. It's easily avoided - just let the car run for a couple of minutes. I doubt it's a major factor in choice of car.

Regards

john
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Wed 17 Apr 2002 08:41
Re: idea for HJ to compile a list? - Adam Going (Tune-Up Ltd)
It is not a major issue UNTIL it happens to you, or, for the 100th time you have to explain to a customer that the small car they bought because they only do short trips actually needs long one to keep reliable. I am seriously considering printing up some leaflets explaining the problem to save me the 20 minutes or so it takes to go through it verbally at least twice a week !

My nomination for worst effected/most common occurrance has to be the Fiesta/Escort 1.0/1,1/1.3 CFi (single point injection) engines which are discussed time and time again on the more technical-orientated web sites.

Regards, Adam
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Wed 17 Apr 2002 10:20
Re: idea for HJ to compile a list? - John S
Adam

Yes, I was forgetting people like yourself who have to explain it. You've also raised an interesting point. It seemed that this was associated with very short runs - eg the 10 or 20 seconds to move the car on the drive, and so avoidable. Does your reply indicate that it's a problem with regular short trips too? Sure, this isn't good for cars, if such cars suffer a starting problem is it related to exactly the same thing?

As for the injected Ford Valencia engines, I'd agree I've rarely owned a worse car. How on earth they have the cheek to still sell them in the Ka is beyond me!

Regards

John

John
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Thu 18 Apr 2002 22:07
Re: idea for HJ to compile a list? - Adam Going (Tune-Up Ltd)
John,

Yes, cars of this type that are used for prdominantly short trips do seem to suffer more from general starting problems, not just after the 10 - 20 sec use. I have several customers who call me in to, literally, take their car for a good run once evry so often because I have proved to them that reduces the risk of starting problems.

Regards, Adam
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