hard to start when cold

[mistert]

my 95 has been having this problem recently where when my engine is cold the motor doesnt want to start right up. it takes a couple tries and some throttle, the motor will want to either sputter or idle very very low unless you give it throttle or just keeping trying

ive searched around and found alot of people have had this problem in a variety of 240's but havent really found any useful answers. the car has had alot of maintenence recently and otherwise everything works fantastic. once started the car runs like a champ and gets great gas mileage

someone please give me some insight?

[dog3gtr]

My S14 w/ S13 redtop has that problem too..

Maybe the clip was seating too long?

it gets better, but still no good.. any idea guys?

[97 S14]

How old is your battery? Do you have a good one? Have you checked your starter to see if all the electrical connections are solid? Have you had your alternator checked to see if it's 100%? I'd start by swinging by an AutoZone or something and getting the battery & alternator checked.

[dog3gtr]

My car was fine w/ KA, it just happens after i put Redtop in..

[mistert]

i wasnt kidding when i said the car got alot of maintenence. i'm generally pretty good with mechanical work, i went to school for auto tech, and until recently worked in a shop with 12 other mechanics. i just replaced almost every last sensor and did the timing chain. it has a brand new battery. this was happening before and after the work, and yes i am equipped with a genuine nissan FSM

i was just hoping someone who had this problem before found a cure that hasnt been so obvious in my previous searching? all the wiring is generally really good and it just got alot of rewiring done (had to patch the driverside fenderwell harness up, ended up lengthening it to run through the body), but i will go back and double check it. i guess now i need to really really get down searching every last vacuum hose>?

[redsuns3838]

its def not battery or plugs, i know cuz i have exactly the same problem.
vac hose? i doubt its vac hoses. it should start fine even with a vac leak anyways.

my guess is its our starters. have you checked your starter or alternator like 97 s14 said? cuz ive been too busy to check mine but ill def mark this post and keep up with it. let u guys know if i find nething out.

[JMixedDS13M]

i got a similar problem also. i got a 92 hatch only my car starts fine regardless of hot or cold. but when cold has idling problem a have to play with gas pedal for a few seconds so the engine doesn't idle down to zero

[mistert]

well its definitely not the alternator that was recently replaced, i suppose it could be the starter not providing enough torque to get the motor to catch, its just strange cause it still has that very strong nissan cranking sound to it. i suppose the starter is on my list of things to check, i have a spare on laying in my buddy's shop from a spare motor

[drifter808]

i had this same problem on my other hatchback. it was a sohc but same thing. the Coil was the problem. it was somehow getting moisture in it and would eventually evaporate out after cranking it alot. So i changed out the coil and it fixed it, afterwards it would start up like normal. I also replaced it with an MSD coil and wired it in. can try that. good luck

[mistert]

that could be a possibility, the problem developed a couple months after changing the distributor (to used one). my car being an s14 i would have to switch distributors to find out :(