Cold Starting Issue On A 2.3 Galaxy

[ckgreenall]

Hi, we have an issue with cold starting on our 2.3 51 plate Galaxy.

 

From stone cold it starts but idles at around 800-900 rpm for 2-3 secs before springing into life and idling at 1200-1300 as it should until warm.

 

Its as if it is taking the 2-3 secs to recognise that it is cold....

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

[ckgreenall]

Just been thinkin a little more about this, what is it that tells the engine that its cold and needs to tick over faster when you first start it??

[sparky Paul]

Just been thinkin a little more about this, what is it that tells the engine that its cold and needs to tick over faster when you first start it??

 

AFAIK, the cold start sensing is derived from the coolant temperature sensor which feeds back to the ECU. The only way I know to test is to connect EOBD scanner to the diagnostic port and read the temperature, the only other option is to substitute a new sensor.

 

It's also worth checking that the Idle Control Valve is not sticking, this is bolted to the top of the inlet manifold... if necessary, you can trying cleaning out with a bit of petrol - a replacement valve isn't cheap.

[ckgreenall]

Just been thinkin a little more about this, what is it that tells the engine that its cold and needs to tick over faster when you first start it??

 

AFAIK, the cold start sensing is derived from the coolant temperature sensor which feeds back to the ECU. The only way I know to test is to connect EOBD scanner to the diagnostic port and read the temperature, the only other option is to substitute a new sensor.

 

It's also worth checking that the Idle Control Valve is not sticking, this is bolted to the top of the inlet manifold... if necessary, you can trying cleaning out with a bit of petrol - a replacement valve isn't cheap.

 

Thanks very much for the response on this and sorry for taking so long to get round to replying and investigating this...... however just to bring this one to a close, I followed the instructions on the site for removal and cleaning of the ICV and problem sorted.....

 

Thanks again,

 

Chris