Starting problems

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:32 pm

One or two of you might have seen me post about this previously - on here or on PUK. Apologies if I am going over old ground. I have done a search, and found similar issues, but nothing exactly like mine.
My 5th Gen, 2.2vti has had an intermittent problem for a few months now. Initially it always started, though sometimes would turn over for longer than normal and then run very lumpy (as if running on 2 or 3 cylinders) for a few seconds. Initilly it seemed to be worse when restarting after a short run, but that's not necessarily the case now.
The last few weeks the starting has become more erratic. Some days it isnt too bad, but others it just will not go. When it starts it mostly runs lumpy now, and this tends to be for longer - to the extent where I am waiting for it to clear, and sound driveable before attemting to pull away.
At first I thought it was the main relay. This was repaired and then replaced. It has had new plugs and leads, a couple of doses of redex & fuel system cleaner. The valve clearances have been chacked, and yesterday I changed the distributor. At the same time I fitted the dizzy I dropped the fuse to reset the ecu. Initially it was starting really well and running smooth straight away. I thought I had solved the problem. Then today its been back to square one. I had wondered if there was a problem mechanically or with fuel supply but in either case I would have expected more problems when driving than starting? Once it starts and gets over the initial rough period it runs fautlessly. I can only assume its the ecu, but am considering getting rid as I really dont know. As much as I like this car I do need to know that I can turn the key and then drive. At the moment things arent quite that straightforward.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated before I go grey, pull my hair out or give up and sell.

vti2003 · Post by **vti2003** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:59 pm

Strangely enough mine did exactly this today. Took ages to go and then fired really rough for about 5 seconds. Then it was fine. And has been fine since.

It had been sat for 2 days and it has been bloody hot. I wondered if it may have been where it was sitting in the the heat??

That was my best guess anyway!

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:14 pm

vti2003 wrote:Strangely enough mine did exactly this today. Took ages to go and then fired really rough for about 5 seconds. Then it was fine. And has been fine since.

It had been sat for 2 days and it has been bloody hot. I wondered if it may have been where it was sitting in the the heat??

That was my best guess anyway!

Thats what made me think it was the main relay. All the forum posts talk about starting issues when the weather is warm. Apparently not such an problem on the 5G, but i resoldered my contacts and then replaced the relay, but still having the same issue.

vtectom · Post by **vtectom** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:21 pm

MAP sensor? - I've got a spare one if you want to try it

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:32 am

vtectom wrote:MAP sensor? - I've got a spare one if you want to try it

Thanks for the suggestion, and offer.
I have just bought another 2.2vtec which I will collect on Friday. I will swap the MAP sensors over next weekend to try it.

vtectom · Post by **vtectom** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:00 am

I like your thinking - If you can't sort your Prelude then buy another one

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:15 pm

Absolutely. Looking on ebay to see what was about, and didnt take me long to narrow it down to 2 possibles.... both Preludes!

At least this way if I cant sell my old one, because of the starting, I can partially strip it for spares before calling in the scrappy. Dont have any off-street parking though, so only so much I can do on the road side.