Car engine never starts first time

[toenailman]

Hello, unsure if this is the right place to ask a question about diagnosing an issue but here goes.

My mother has a Suzuki Wagon R+ made in 1999, which will never start first time but will always start the second or third time quickly. The first time the engine will crank, "start" and cycle several times but it will sound like what happens when you run out of fuel in a petrol engine. The second time it will either do the same thing or start seemingly flawlessly. Regardless, it will never start first time and it is getting on my nerves and I am concerned for the wear of the starter motor/life of the battery.

Some extra detail:
The car is petrol, carburettor.
The car is automatic.
The car fuel pump is electric. Is it possible that the fuel pump primes the engine, the starter motor takes all the power to start the car and there is a lapse in fuel pump function just as the engine needs it to start? I believe it starts first time hot, but not from cold. Is there such thing as a cold idle screw on petrol engines from this time and is it relevant?

Any reply appreciated.
- Alex

[steveo3002]

very much doubt its carb

try cycling the key on /off without cranking , it might build up some fuel pressure and start better

my guess is weak pump /failed anti drain back valve

[toenailman]

Thanks, will try this when my mother is back and the car is cold.

[anonymous-user]

steveo3002 said:

very much doubt its carb

...although the automatic choke may not be activating correctly.

[zedx19]

I can't imagine it's carb from that era. Does your mother turn the ignition on, wait for the fuel pump to prime, then turn the key to start? Or does she get in and immediately try and start it? She's not accidentally pressing the accelerator or anything while trying to start it either?

[toenailman]

No, the fuel pump always has time to prime because the immobiliser takes a few seconds to be disabled. We have explored throttle position, trying to use as a rudimentary choke. Doesn't make a difference.

[E-bmw]

toenailman said:

No, the fuel pump always has time to prime because the immobiliser takes a few seconds to be disabled.

If the immobiliser takes a few seconds to come off so will the supply to the fuel pump, give it 5/10 seconds from key in to trying & see if that helps.

toenailman said:

We have explored throttle position, trying to use as a rudimentary choke.

Not quite sure how you are managing to use the throttle as a rudimentary choke.

[anonymous-user]

E-bmw said:

Not quite sure how you are managing to use the throttle as a rudimentary choke.

Some cars need a prod of the throttle to set the automatic choke. Old hat if you've got fuel injection....

[E-bmw]

rockin said:

E-bmw said:

Not quite sure how you are managing to use the throttle as a rudimentary choke.

Some cars need a prod of the throttle to set the automatic choke. Old hat if you've got fuel injection....

I understand & know that but that does not sound like what the OP is referring to.

[Penelope Stopit]

Diagram here https://cardiagn.com/suzuki-wagon-r-wiring-diagram...

Click the Download button that's at the bottom of the PDF

Due to the fault being temperature related

There could be a problem with the engine temperature sensor, intake air temperature sensor or one of their circuits (C22/C30)