Sluggish ignition on Astra VXR

[Vxr4phil]

My VXR has developed a sluggish ignition problem. Used to start instantly when pressing start button but currently needs me to press accelerator pedal to get it to start. Anyone had similar problem and can advise how to fix?

[GreenV8S]

If it hasn't been serviced recently, that might be all it needs.

If the battery is more than a couple of years old or has ever been allowed to go flat then it might just be the battery on the way out. Even a tiny voltage drop can make a big difference to how easily the car starts, especially in combination with cold weather.

Is it high mileage? Maybe it's just wear and tear making it less eager to start.

[Vxr4phil]

Thanks for suggestions. The car was only serviced Last month. The battery is 5 years old but I did ensure it was fully charged when problem started. I plan next to get a jump start from another car to see if it could be the battery. Hoping it is. Thanks again. Anything further?

[Saleen836]

Ask a friendly garage if they can test the battery for you, they will know right away if it needs replacing and at 5 years old it is most likely the battery

[Sardonicus]

If it needs gas to fire sounds like a gungy throttle housing your just adding additional air (cheating the system) to a fuel rich mixture by touching the pedal thus allowing it to fire ........ maybe certain these dont have a separate idle valve

[Vxr4phil]

Thanks for suggestions. Plugs replaced. Engine coolant temperature sensor replaced. Mechanic thought that would solve it. It hasn’t. He finally cleaned the butterfly valve in the “ carburettor “ I don’t think it is but does that job? He said that the diagnostics weren’t showing anything wrong. The previous garage said replacing fuel injectors might do it. Only might and they are expensive. I’ve put some Wynns cleaner in , on basis of cleaning the injectors. Really annoying.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Vxr4phil said:

. He finally cleaned the butterfly valve in the “ carburettor .

How old is your car?

[Vxr4phil]

10 years old.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Vxr4phil said:

10 years old.

Aha. I had no idea that carb still used on a car of that relatively new vintage

[Vxr4phil]

It’s not a carb as they used to be. I’m not technical so don’t know what it is. The mechanic said it does what a carb did. Butterfly valve allowing fuel to pass. His thinking was maybe it was sticking and not allowing correct amount of fuel through, hence starting sluggish.

[GreenV8S]

It's usually called the throttle body.

[kimducati]

Vxr4phil said:

It’s not a carb as they used to be. I’m not technical so don’t know what it is. The mechanic said it does what a carb did. Butterfly valve allowing fuel to pass. His thinking was maybe it was sticking and not allowing correct amount of fuel through, hence starting sluggish.

I think you need to find a mechanic who knows how fuel injection works. The 'buttterfly valve' doesn't control the fuel flow, just the airflow.

[stevieturbo]

Vxr4phil said:

It’s not a carb as they used to be. I’m not technical so don’t know what it is. The mechanic said it does what a carb did. Butterfly valve allowing fuel to pass. His thinking was maybe it was sticking and not allowing correct amount of fuel through, hence starting sluggish.

Every day here, we're reminded how many scary and dumb people there are working at cars. Which is of course a nightmare for customers with problems.
If their mechanic hasnt got a clue, what chance have they !

[Saleen836]

Vxr4phil said:

Thanks for suggestions. Plugs replaced. Engine coolant temperature sensor replaced. Mechanic thought that would solve it. It hasn’t. He finally cleaned the butterfly valve in the “ carburettor “ I don’t think it is but does that job? He said that the diagnostics weren’t showing anything wrong. The previous garage said replacing fuel injectors might do it. Only might and they are expensive. I’ve put some Wynns cleaner in , on basis of cleaning the injectors. Really annoying.

Has this 'mechanic' actually tested the battery or are they just telling you this or that should sort it and handing you an ever increasing bill?

[Vxr4phil]

The battery is fine I think. I have a charger and it is fully charged.

[GreenV8S]

Vxr4phil said:

The battery is fine I think. I have a charger and it is fully charged.

The only way to know is to test it.

[Pericoloso]

Vxr4phil said:

The battery is fine I think. I have a charger and it is fully charged.

You suggested a "jump start".

If you do it wrong ,ECUs can get fried.

[Crafty_]

Does it perform ok when running ? dodgy idle ? hesitation, especially when going on boost ?

I know you say plugs are new, but check the gap.

Any mods ?

Last fuel filter change ?

I'd think someone who knows the engine watching live data on crank they'd might spot something.

I'm tempted to suggest an ECU reset would reset learned values/trims etc. but in theory all that would happen is it would re-learn and you'd be back to square 1.

[Vxr4phil]

I’ve noticed no difference in performance. It’s just the annoying ignition issue. It started about 4 months ago and at least it hasn’t got worse.

[Saleen836]

Vxr4phil said:

The battery is fine I think. I have a charger and it is fully charged.

I have recently replaced the battery on my car, car drove perfect but on starting cranking was slower and all the dash lights would stay out for a second or 2 along with the stereo resetting, had the battery tested at local garage and within 30 seconds was told the battery was shot.
Before you spend any more money get the battery tested!