

| Subject: | Hard Starting Cold and Hot |
| From: | Tim Marciniak |
| Date: | Wed, 19 Oct 2005 19:49:27 -0500 |
I have a 90 Vanagon 2.1L with Automatic, 95k, that I am having hard starting problems with when the engine is cold and when it is hot. When cold it starts readily but the idle is fairly lumpy and if I press on the accelerator there is a major lack of power and it seems just like a spark plug miss. After about 1-2 minutes the idle evens out and it runs ok. When the engine is hot if I turn it off and try to start it about 1-5 minutes later it starts fine. If I try to start it about 15-30 minutes after it was completely warmed up it is very difficult to start. The starter spins the motor fine but it does not start. In order to start i have to press the accelerator pedal to the floor and the crank the key like you do with a flooded carbuerated engine---in a few seconds it then starts and the idle evens out and it runs fine. What I've done so far: -cleaned up ALL grounds -added two additional ground wires, one from the tranny to the body and another from the starter housing to the neg on the battery -new o2 sensor about 5k ago -cleaned idle stabilization valve and it hums -new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, rotor and distrib cap are ok -checked engine vacuum--no leaks -checked intake system--no false air -checked throttle switch--ok -replaced coolant temp sensor -checked air flow sensor--ok -checked fuel pressure--ok--residual pressure ok -checked ignition timing--ok things i have not done: --pulled and check the fuel injectors, I cant see why it would be this when it runs fine otherwise --not sure how to check the idle stabilizer control unit I am close to giving up on this problem and take it to my local mechanic. It has been a long time since I had to take the van in since I have been able to fix most everything that has gone wrong with this van. I would appreciate any suggestions from the list. I would sure like to fix this problem on my own. Tim 90 Multivan (hard starter) 95 Passat GLX 03 New Beetle Turbo S 89 Jetta GL 99 Jetta
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