Cold starts take multiple cranks

Tiny
JOPACHA
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2
  • 4.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
When it’s warm, it starts right up no problems; however, when it’s cold it takes multiple cranks to fire up. Does this sound like a fuel pump or a starter issue?
Saturday, November 7th, 2020 AT 4:37 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Can you get a recording of what it does when it is warm (if still possible) and then one when it is cold? Depending on the difference it could be normal. If the engine cranks a couple more rotations then starts then that may be normal in colder weather. However, if you crank the engine, it doesn't start. Then you cycle the key again and it doesn't start, then cycle the key and it starts, that is not normal.

If that is what is happening then we need to start with fuel pressure. Here is a guide that will help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Also, what is the actual temp when this starts? The pressure will help determine the cause. Plus a video of it with the excessive cranking will get us on the same page of what is happening. Thanks
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Saturday, November 7th, 2020 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
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This is a warm start, note some hesitation.

I will upload a cold start when it cools off a bit.
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Monday, November 9th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Okay. That amount of cranking would not be concerning if it only does it when it is cold.

However, it may have just been the angle of the video but when it was cranking, were you pumping the accelerator? If so, that may be part of the issue. Your engine has a throttle body with a throttle cable that is connected to the accelerator. When you press the accelerator it is only moving the throttle plate allowing more air to come into the engine.

If you are pumping the accelerator when it is cranking then you are altering the air fuel ratio when it is starting by letting more air in then the PCM is calculating for. Basically each time the engine starts the PCM opens the injectors for a predetermined amount of time to inject the correct amount of fuel needed to start the engine. When you open the throttle and allow more air in, it actually leans out the air/fuel mixture and can make it hard to start. So it is better to not pump the accelerator like you did with a carbureted vehicle.

If this gets worse the colder it gets, then that may be an issue and I would start with checking fuel pressure when it is cold and compare that (if possible) to a warm start. So if it is warm right now and starting okay, I would get the pressure and then wait for it to start acting up more and compare the two at that point.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Monday, November 9th, 2020 AT 5:09 PM

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