I just bought an '89 for parts, but it doesn't seem to have any catastrophic problems, so I may just try to make it roadworthy.

The main problem I'm focussing on is that it's hard to start. It never catches when I first turn it over. Usually after four or five attempts (each of them about 5 seconds long), it finally starts, but just barely. Curiously, it's usually right when I release the key from the Start position that it shows signs of life and "kicks on", not while the starter is engaged. Then within a couple of seconds, it's running perfectly smooth. The pattern is the same, whether it's been sitting for a day, or if I take it for a long run, shut it off, and then immediately start it again.

The fault code was showing the oxygen sensor error, but nothing else. I reset it, to see if the same fault re-appears, but I haven't taken it for a run yet. I may try to meter or scope the oxygen sensor output tomorrow. I have an '86 with LH 2.2, and on that, I've also metered the idle mixture test point, but I don't think the LH 2.4 has an equivalent test point, does it?

I wouldn't think that this possible O2 sensor error would affect starting, would it? I would imagine that there's no valid data in the exhaust gases before starting, with which to be making mixture decisions. I'm tending to think that this is more likely a fuel delivery problem: pressure regulator, pump, relay. Does it make sense though that whatever the problem is, it would vanish instantly once started?

I guess the other thing I should check is that all the appropriate voltages to the ignition and fuel systems are getting there when the key is in the Start position. Maybe a problem there would explain why it seems to kick on right when I release the key from Start.

Thanks for any insights you may have on what this might be.

David