I drive a 93 xtra cab pickup with the 3vze. Just started to notice that the truck is hard starting when its cold. I have to crank the truck several times before it starts. It trys and then it will finally catch so to speak and then it will run fine after that. Any thoughts as to what this could be?

 

Mine did the same thing. It would have to crank for almost 30 seconds before it'd start, and as it was starting it fire off of one cylinder...then 2...then 3...then 5... etc....i'm assuming this is the problem you're speaking of?

Tell ya what i did. I had a 5 speed with the clutch start cancel switch. I just turned the key without the clutch or switch engaged, and would let the fuel pump run for a good 3-5seconds, then i'd push the switch and it would fire up in about one revolution.

As far as i was concerned it was like an anti theft device. Or a pretend manual glow plug switch

 

mine is an automatic. it hasnt had this problem before, and doesnt do it when its warm out. only times i have noticed it is when it is cold.

 

The first place i would look is at the Cold Start Injector. Try pulling the plug and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't, put a voltmeter on the connector when someone turns the key to START. You should get 12v for a few seconds (depending on temp).

@85gijunk4x4: the fuel pump is not supposed to run with key-on, engine-off. (It needs START, or pulling air through the VAF.) Your truck might have a wiring issue.

 

Besides the fuel pump trick the only way I could get it started was either laying in the starter for 30 seconds straight or letting it crank for about 10 seconds, waiting another 5 seconds or so and then it would start regular. Only did it about 20 degrees or colder.

I never really ripped into any of my old vz's so I don't really know what could be wrong...maybe cold start injector?

I'd check fuel rail pressure too

 

*edit* scope beat me to it.

 

*i would turn the key the start position. But it would not crank or start thinking it was in gear without the clutch depressed.

 

Are you sure it is only like that when cold? Never when warm? If it's ever done it warm I would be concerned with a fuel line losing pressure. If not, then yeah it's your cold start injector. Most likely the switch (sensor) is toast. It's pricey though, so I recommend getting a used one ($7 vs $200) only if it passes a ohmmeter test outlined in the FSM.

 

This could be a sign of a bad check valve in the fuel pump. That check valve should hold pressure in the rail with the pump off. If it doesn't, the pressure in the rail might take a second or two to come up to where it can start. And it might require it to be a little closer to the correct pressure when it's cold.

This can be checked with a fuel pressure gauge.

 

well thanks guys, i actually figured out the problem. The wire and plug going into the cold start injector had actually come loose and were not completely connected. plugged it completely back together and havent had it do it today after letting it sit for quite a while.

 

Hurray for the easy fix! Don't you love it when there's no work involved?