Erratic starting - only in the morning

[AirWolf]

Seem to have erratic starting on my car the last few days: starts but has erratic idle, then switches off. Starts again by idles lower than "normal".

Only have this problem the first start in the mornings. Starts and idles normally during the day afterwards.

A problem that *might* be related is unresponsive accelerator within the first 1 or 2 kilometres for a couple of seconds (like no fuel flowing), which has happened maybe once every week or so, for the last couple of weeks, and on the first trip in the morning.

Mostly likely problem(s): starter / fuel filter / fuel pump?

 

[ChocolateBadger]

Worn/dead plugs it sounds like. Maybe your coil pack has packed up.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Is it a diesel? If so, check your glow plugs.

 

[AirWolf]

Worn/dead plugs it sounds like. Maybe your coil pack has packed up.

Wouldn't plugs cause a problem all the time?

Is it a diesel? If so, check your glow plugs.

No, petrol.

 

[Claymore]

Don't tell anyone what car! It makes guessing solutions more challenging.

 

[AirWolf]

Don't tell anyone what car! It makes guessing solutions more challenging.

Tenaciti 1.4i 2008 model.
35k on the clock.
Serviced in August every year.

 

[ChocolateBadger]

notice any loss of power when normal driving?

 

[ponder]

Turn iginition key to on position but don't crank over the engine (wait for all lights to go off and fuel pump to go silent), turn ignition to off position and then back to on and start the car. See if it makes a difference.

 

[AirWolf]

notice any loss of power when normal driving?

Nope.

Turn iginition key to on position but don't crank over the engine (wait for all lights to go off and fuel pump to go silent), turn ignition to off position and then back to on and start the car. See if it makes a difference.

Will try that tomorrow. If it does make a difference, what would it mean?

 

[pgs]

Turn iginition key to on position but don't crank over the engine (wait for all lights to go off and fuel pump to go silent), turn ignition to off position and then back to on and start the car. See if it makes a difference.

Hey? That's a new one (to me) And ? cause if yes?

 

[TheGuy]

If your battery is on the way out it always gives a few issues in the morning. Otherwise have the car been serviced properly?

 

[AirWolf]

If your battery is on the way out it always gives a few issues in the morning. Otherwise have the car been serviced properly?

Checked the battery: 12.8V off, 14V on, and about 1.5 years old.

Service done properly by the dealership AFAIK.

 

[Velenoso]

Nope.



Will try that tomorrow. If it does make a difference, what would it mean?

That procedure allows the high pressure pump (if fitted) to pressurize the fuel line. Sounds like fuel starvation. Had a random problem like that on my '11 5 Series this year. Fuel pump was on its way out.

 

[ponder]

That procedure allows the high pressure pump (if fitted) to pressurize the fuel line. Sounds like fuel starvation. Had a random problem like that on my '11 5 Series this year. Fuel pump was on its way out.

Yeah, trying to eliminate the fuel supply chain. Rare but it happens, would be better to check the actual pressure but you need some equipment for that.

 

[Sinbad]

Water temperature sender fault.

Ecu is not compensating for the cold engine properly.

 

[crackersa]

distributor cap worn?

 

[louisek]

Your car is trying to tell you its time to take a break and go on holiday. My mini-cooper would not start one day (cranked ok but no engine). Auric Auto blamed it on dirty petrol that had blocked the injectors and tried to charge me R9000 for a fix. I got an opinion from another BMW workshop and they pointed out a fuel filter and various other protection devices. After speaking to the actual mechanic, he told me it was flooded. R9000 indeed! The last they saw of me

 

[AirWolf]

distributor cap worn?

No.

 

[AirWolf]

Turn iginition key to on position but don't crank over the engine (wait for all lights to go off and fuel pump to go silent), turn ignition to off position and then back to on and start the car. See if it makes a difference.

That worked - started normally - no erratic idle, no stalling. Didn't drive it though, just started.

So, the fuel pump the most likely cause then?

 

[ponder]

That worked - started normally - no erratic idle, no stalling. Didn't drive it though, just started.

So, the fuel pump the most likely cause then?

Could be a few things in the fuel supply chain. Let's start with a few simple things first,

1- Change your fuel filter
2- Chuck a bottle of injector cleaner into the tank and drive the car through a tank of fuel
if things still don't improve
3- Get someone to check your fuel pump pressure