Griffith 500 cold start issue

[simonjrwinter]

I’ve got a complete Griffith 500 drivetrain in my car. It runs and drives superbly, but twice now, it’s failed to start from cold. Full battery both times, no throttle, turn it over it catches briefly and dies then just keeps churning with the occasional “catch” of a cylinder or so. Taking the plugs out last time they were soaked with fuel, dried them out, waited a day with them out, reinstalled them and off it went fine.
Haven’t taken the plugs out this time as I guess like last time, it’s flooded. Didn’t think this could happen with a fuel injected engine? Any advice?
Thanks
Simon

[ChimpOnGas]

simonjrwinter said:

I’ve got a complete Griffith 500 drivetrain in my car. It runs and drives superbly, but twice now, it’s failed to start from cold. Full battery both times, no throttle, turn it over it catches briefly and dies then just keeps churning with the occasional “catch” of a cylinder or so. Taking the plugs out last time they were soaked with fuel, dried them out, waited a day with them out, reinstalled them and off it went fine.
Haven’t taken the plugs out this time as I guess like last time, it’s flooded. Didn’t think this could happen with a fuel injected engine? Any advice?
Thanks
Simon

Achieving a good clean cold start is a fine balance between air & fuel, your ignition system must generate a good spark too. Spark quality aside it sounds like you have too much fuel which is the same as too little air, to test this crack the throttle slightly before you attempt the cold start and keep it cracked open (not too much) while you crank.

If the engine starts like this it's most likely to be an issue with your idle valve (stepper motor) rather than a true over fueling issue, during cranking the ECU instructs the idle valve to open which is the same as you cracking the throttle slightly. Most likely the idle valve (stepper motor) just needs removing and cleaning as it's subject to carbon build up over time.

If none of the above helps return to your ignition system and check your spark quality.

[simonjrwinter]

Thanks for all the advice gents, I must fess up to it being my fault though 🙄
I fitted a new ignition module, coil, dizzy cap and rotor arm but it still wouldn’t start. After double checking, I found I’d left one of the leads off the coils....doh! Replaced it and it fired right up!
I’d taken the old coil off then I flooded it last time and hadn’t replaced the same lead on the old coil.
Can’t deny I feel a bit of a berk!
Thanks for all the advice gents
Simon

[Penelope Stopit]

simonjrwinter said:

Thanks for all the advice gents, I must fess up to it being my fault though ??
I fitted a new ignition module, coil, dizzy cap and rotor arm but it still wouldn’t start. After double checking, I found I’d left one of the leads off the coils....doh! Replaced it and it fired right up!
I’d taken the old coil off then I flooded it last time and hadn’t replaced the same lead on the old coil.
Can’t deny I feel a bit of a berk!
Thanks for all the advice gents
Simon

Great, you've fixed it

We all make mistakes, finding them is the important thing