Cold start ?electrical problem

For all electrical questions; Alternators including fitment; Light connections/wiring; Instruments; Gauges; MFA; Heater blower (not coolant related) issues etc etc.
Forum rules
Hints, tips and guides for repair and modification - the FAQ section on the main website is worth checking first for information relating to common faults and technical help. Useful posts and guides will be added to the FAQ http://www.sciroccoregister.co.uk/scirocco-faq
Post Reply
the edmundator
Posts: 2928
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:34 pm
fill in the right answer: 10
Location: BEDFORD
Contact:

Cold start ?electrical problem

Post by the edmundator »

I've had nearly every part of the carb and autochoke system replaced and cleaned out and I still have a problem with poor cold starting.

I wonder if it is an electrical issue rather than fueling, as the car runs absolutely fine when it's properly warmed up... perhaps some condensation somewhere in the electrics.

When I start up on cold mornings the car sounds like it's not firing properly on all cylinders until it's fully warmed up, although it drives reasonably well. I've also noticed (perhaps coincidentally) that the electric windows work intermittently first thing in the morning (but fine the rest of the time).

The waxstat also seems to kick in only when the car has started warming up.

It all sounds a bit of a mess, but any thoughts on this being an electrical problem rather than blaming the carb?


Register Member 829
--
1980 (1976) Mk1 Junior Cup Replica
1987 MK2 GTX
User avatar
FuzzyEdges
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:17 pm
fill in the right answer: 10
Location: Monmouthshire

Re: Cold start ?electrical problem

Post by FuzzyEdges »

I had a similar problem many moons ago on a DX engined car when the mornings got cold.
It turned out to be a hairline crack in the distributor cap.
This crack allowed moisture to gather between two of the posts and short them out.
The engine ran fine when warm because the crack either closed up or the moisture dried out.
Worth a look?


It's nice to be nice.
Post Reply