Verrrrrry hard to start.... when cold!?

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by Joe 90

I just want to avoid replacing the battery if not necessary ($$$)....

You'll know when the battery tanks: The engine won't turn over. I'd say go with what the codes tell you. Good luck.

dcb

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by Joe 90

Well..... It was cold here yesterday and the car is still verrrry hard to start!
So.... I pulled the codes.... 13 (Cam Angle Sensor) and 28 (LH Knock Sensor)....

Can the CAS be at cause?! (I guess it could...)

Anyone has experienced a bad Cam Angle Sensor???

Anyone has a spare one for sale??

I just want to avoid replacing the battery if not necessary ($$$)....

Joe, be wary of replacing sensors because of fault codes, until you are SURE.

By that I mean if the overall voltage is too low, or possibly some of your connections are corroded or making poor contact, it's possible the computer is storing these codes because these items are not able to send the correct values due to low voltage or bad connections. [These "bad" connections may not be an issue for the computer when the car is warmed up and all circuits are able to deploy current]

Just to check it out, is there any way you could clear the codes, and then start the car with a borrowed good battery on a very cold day? If the codes come up again with a good battery, THEN I would replace them for sure. I recently replaced one of the knock sensors on the SVX I sold. The old one was cracked. They probably wear out with time. It's recommended you replace BOTH knock sensors in the manual, exactly because of this age deteriorisation business.

Now that I think of it, if the CAS was giving faulty signals, it could interfere with the timing and cause fouling. Even so, it would still be wise to try starting with a good battery. Your problem could be a symptom of both low voltage and current, AND deteriorating sensors.

Hope that elucidates rather than confuses.

Joe

[Joe 90]

Thanks again Joe....

Well.... Mild temperature this morning and tomorrow (Around 20F... Yes, that's mild for us at this time of the year! ).... I'll pull the battery from my old pick-up truck (which always starts no matter how cold it is)... I'll make sure the battery is fully charged + I'll keep it warm (inside the house).... And wait for some brutal weather to do the test!!!

I'll let you guys know the outcome....

Joe 90

[Earthworm]

I would just have someone test your battery/charging system.

The cam sensor will cause hard starting, rough idle and/or stalling.

I gotta be honest, no I have never replaced one.
Not on an SVX, but I have replaced DOZENS on other EJ series engines, I would 'Assume' that they may be the same part, so they may be prone to the same failures...
No comes your second problem, the sensors I replaced were faulty hot not cold!!! So I am stumped, although this WILL definitely stop the car starting, hot or cold. Try a second hand sensor?

[Joe 90]

While I wait for colder temperature..... Does anyone has the test procesure for the Cam Angle Sensor? (My #1 suspect at this time)

Maybe I could check the output reading or something??

Oh, you're gonna love this.......
"Connect your Select Monitor and select data display from the options display menu.
Then remove the cam sensor and while connected with the ignition on, 'wipe' a flat blade screwdriver across the 'face' of the sensor and note the voltage change on the data display....", (or do the same thing with a multimeter!)

Told you.......

Cheers
Sixpack