1993 Torslanda, LH Jetronic system.
About once in 100 cold starts the engine cranks but is very slow to fire. Usually it starts within half a second. I have sometimes suspected that the main fuel pump might have stuck, and a thump almost invariably causes the engine to spring into life. On the last occasion however that failed to work, but after pressing the tyre-valve on the injector rail to establish that there was petrol, there was a gush of petrol and then the engine started first turn.
After starting, whatever the difficulties, the engine runs perfectly. It returns an easy 32 mpg, and has just passed its emissions with flying colours. I have cleaned the fuel pump fuses, established that the in-tank
pump runs, checked the relay, and regularly clean out the Idle Air Valve and associated pipework and breathers and throttle body. The Air Mass Meter is only 2 years old, and I have checked for air leaks in the ducting.
The Lambda light goes out and stays out. I tried to check for diagnostic codes but cannot make it flash anything at all – it appears to be completely dead.

So now I am at a loss to know what to look for next.I suppose it doesn't really matter, but is it a symptom of something starting to fail?
Any suggestions would be gratefully accepted.

With thanks,
Cliff Pope


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