Won't start! Will start if I coast down hill and pop clutch! Options

[Dave_Darling]

How's the ignition switch? There have been some odd failures with some of them...

--DD

[Rand]

Is it an issue of cranking over? If it turns at normal speed when cranking with the starter, it doesn't make sense that bump starting would be more effective. We are missing something. If it's not cranking quickly, we are missing the issue here.

[arne]

I too wonder about the ignition switch. Hook up a timing light and see if the strobe lights when cranking. Maybe you have no spark when the key is turned all the way to Start, but poweres the coil in Run. That could explain it.

[falcor75]

Whats the voltage drop on the battery while cranking?
Can the ECU or coil not get enough energy due to the voltagedrop from cranking? Try putting a charger on the battery and keep it on while trying to start with a cold engine?

[Mark Henry]

Doubt if it's the battery itself, one year old odyssey 925.
IIRC new blue coil, or did I use the stock coil from my L-jet system? I do know I used the dizzy from my old L-jet

You'll need a helper but try taking a voltage reading on the coil + wire when you start to crank cold.
At least that should show if your volts drop when cranking.

Vac leaks are always a possibility on an L-jet, even though I used new hose, replaced both cap seals, etc....

[Ian Stott]

Doubt if it's the battery itself, one year old odyssey 925.
IIRC new blue coil, or did I use the stock coil from my L-jet system? I do know I used the dizzy from my old L-jet

You'll need a helper but try taking a voltage reading on the coil + wire when you start to crank cold.
At least that should show if your volts drop when cranking.

Vac leaks are always a possibility on an L-jet, even though I used new hose, replaced both cap seals, etc....

Sometimes it almost catches, but rather than run down the battery or burn out the starter I just coast down the hill, turn the key to on and pop the clutch in 3rd. Works every time, once warmed up restarts are no issue, vroom, every time. I am thinking along the same lines as you Mark that the device sending temp info to the ecu may not be working outside of a certain temperature range. I posted the above driving experience with the other cars as an indicator of how nice the engine is when warmed up, not to brag.

[Rand]

It's not rocket science then. Swap out the battery and see how it works. If it bump starts, it's not a difficult mystery.

[r_towle]

Vacuum leaks prevent ljet from starting.
The head to manifold seal is affected by heat.

[Spoke]

You'll need a helper but try taking a voltage reading on the coil + wire when you start to crank cold.
At least that should show if your volts drop when cranking.

Have this test been done yet?

That you can sit and crank the engine and it doesn't start, then push/coast start it I think shows it's an electrical problem and not an issue of vacuum leak or other engine issue. As others have said, perhaps it's the ignition switch.

[Ian Stott]

Turned the key to the on position, gave 3 good pumps on the accelerator, half throttle position then tried to start the car, she started! A little rough til warmed up but once warm she runs beautiful, I can live with this!

Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada

[ndfrigi]

Turned the key to the on position, gave 3 good pumps on the accelerator, half throttle position then tried to start the car, she started! A little rough til warmed up but once warm she runs beautiful, I can live with this!

Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada

My 75 1.8 FI has been like this! When it warmed up, everything is good except a little rough or low idle at first but when I drove it for a mile or 2. Idle will drop to around 850 rpm.