Delayed cold start

[dadd2009]

Over the last couple of weeks my Wagoneer has been starting "late" when cold. I turn the key on, elec fuel pump runs, radio comes on and then when I go to start it.........nothing for about 3-5 seconds then it starts as usual. After it warms up it starts with no delay at all, as it should. I'm assuming a bad elec connection somewhere, but where? Then again, assumption is the mother of all F-ups.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Rich88]

Over the last couple of weeks my Wagoneer has been starting "late" when cold. I turn the key on, elec fuel pump runs, radio comes on and then when I go to start it.........nothing for about 3-5 seconds then it starts as usual. After it warms up it starts with no delay at all, as it should. I'm assuming a bad elec connection somewhere, but where? Then again, assumption is the mother of all F-ups.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Normally between the choke plate closing and a pump or two of gas does the trick. But evidently something changed on its own recently. Most likely thing to change on its own would be the accelerator pump in the carb has a ruptured diaphragm and is not squirting the "starter" gas, or not as much.

[dadd2009]

I should explain a little better. After the key is on, pump running, etc. When I go to start, there is nothing electrical happening. It doesn't turn over, no pump running, then after holding the key for 3-5 sec it just starts turning over and starts like normal.

[Rich88]

I should explain a little better. After the key is on, pump running, etc. When I go to start, there is nothing electrical happening. It doesn't turn over, no pump running, then after holding the key for 3-5 sec it just starts turning over and starts like normal.

Oh-h-h...that's different.

If this happened to me, I'd start by doing this next time its cold and you have some time:

With an alligator clip at the starter relay on the fender, jumper between the main 12V post and the starter terminal that the wire from the ignition switch normally goes to. Specifically, clip one end to the 12V post and just tap the other end on the starter terminal. Basically you're bypassing the ignition switch.

If the starter immediately bumps then you've proven the ignition switch is on its way out. If it does not bump, leave it in contact for a while to see if you still have the delay before the starter lights off. If this happens I'd replace the starter relay.

[Ristow]

i'm on my 2nd napa premium solenoid that does the same thing. it's the solenoid. on mine if i crank too long-like 5+ seconds it sticks on too.

[dadd2009]

Thanks for the replies Rich & Ristow. I'll do that test either tomorrow or Mon and post the results here. I sure hope it's the solenoid. It's only a year old but I bought the lifetime replacement version from O'rielly's. I've been learning over the years to spend the extra money for the guaranteed version of products just because "they don't make them like they used to".

[Romanov]

When it is cold here, it is like -60. I have noticed that even in my wife's rig, 2008 Forrester, the same thing will happen, same is true for my truck. Turn the key to start, 3 to 5 second delay, starter turns and engine catches. Is it frozen lubricant in the switch, expanded plastic making the contacts slow, my gloved fingers making it difficult to turn the key, I really do not know? It doesn't ever happen in the summer, the other 11.5 months of the year if it gets below say -30 or so it will . But just like you when I restart my rig, no problem, unless she has been off for 30 minutes or so. Maybe a PO used a heavy grease in your switch.

[dadd2009]

I did do that test and it was the solenoid. It took me over a month to fix it though because the day after I started this thread I bought a motorcycle.

[serehill]

lol n the motor cycle I went through 3 of thr NAPA premiums & gave up.

I'm a NAPA fan so that is dissappointing.

I went back to Napa & ordered an Airtex1M1054 so far so good.

[Rich88]

I'm a NAPA fan so that is dissappointing.

I went back to Napa & ordered an Airtex1M1054 so far so good.

Oooo.... I know: Put three of 'em in parallel. One of them's bound to work.

[FSJunkie]

I have a solenoid from O'Reilly's and it's been working fine for over a year now even with the way mine boils the gas in the carb. You guys might try one from them and see if they work for you.

[dadd2009]

I have a solenoid from O'Reilly's and it's been working fine for over a year now even with the way mine boils the gas in the carb. You guys might try one from them and see if they work for you.

That's where mine was/is from. Part # BWD S113, lifetime warranty. First one lasted 9 months, we'll see how long this one lasts.