Starting from hot

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Mark Wake, Jul 13, 2003.

  1. Mark Wake

    Mark Wake Guest

    I'm having an intermittent problem starting up my Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6
    (1990) from hot. It seems to start fine from cold, but even after a short
    journey I have real problems firing her up again (but once running
    everything is fine).

    The ignition system seems fine but the engine just refuses to fire, it
    normally does eventually (after 20 minutes or so).

    I've been advised on a few possibilities but wondered if anybody here had
    any thoughts.

    Thanks,
    Mark.
     
    Mark Wake, Jul 13, 2003
    #1
  2. Mark Wake

    Scott M Guest

    I think it's one of those "they all do that, sir" things. Vapour lock
    probably.
     
    Scott M, Jul 14, 2003
    #2
  3. Mark Wake

    Paul W Guest

    Mark,

    I had this exact problem on my 2 litre Cavalier, a very kind AA man told me
    what the problem was (apparently it's a common fault)!

    A dry joint in the fuel-pump relay !

    Open the bonnet and near the bulkhead on the passenger side of the car is a
    black box about 6 inches square, open it up and there should be a relay
    inside (I think it's the biggest one in there). Its a complicated relay as
    it receives pulses from a sensor that tells it the engine is turning, and
    only turns the fuel pump on if its receiving a signal - so vauxhall will
    quote you about £40 to replace it !.

    I work in electronics so I got a hacksaw and carefully removed the casing,
    and lo and behold what did I find ? - a cracked solder joint. I touched it
    up and superglued the casing back together, and it never gave me any
    problems again.

    Hope this cures your problem, (to check if it is this - next time it does
    it - open the relay box and tap the relay with a screwdriver, if it starts
    you can be pretty sure you've got the same fault as I had).


    Regards,

    Paul.
     
    Paul W, Jul 14, 2003
    #3
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