Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: pinxos on 28 January 2008, 12:26:49

Title: Cold start problem
Post by: pinxos on 28 January 2008, 12:26:49
Hi,
Never ahad aproblem starting my beastie until this morning. Awoke to 2 degrees of frost, turned the key and much whining but no firing.  >:(Tried again and again. Starter moter turns over OK but not much sign of firing up. Gave up and caught the train to work. :(
Had the back end jacked up and the wheels off at the W/E trying to adjust the handbrake, startde ok after that si it's a bit of a mystery why she won't start. Anyone any ideas to try B4 i submit to the local garage????
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: tunnie on 28 January 2008, 12:40:29
done a paperclip test?
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: pinxos on 28 January 2008, 12:43:34
Negative, unfortunately didn't have time this morning. I'll tray when I get back home, might be abit tricky in the dark tough!!
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: bob.dent on 28 January 2008, 13:33:12
Sounds like it could be the crank sensor playing up.
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: TheBoy on 28 January 2008, 17:55:07
Not sure how the work you've down and the current symptoms can be related...
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: pinxos on 29 January 2008, 20:06:16
Ok, just got in from the wet and dark with a paperclip test code. Looks like it's 31 which according to the topbuzz site for an X25XE is "Engine RPM signal(crankshaft sensor) No signa"l.

So, can I fix this myself or does it need to be"looked at" ?
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: TheBoy on 29 January 2008, 21:20:14
Quote
Ok, just got in from the wet and dark with a paperclip test code. Looks like it's 31 which according to the topbuzz site for an X25XE is "Engine RPM signal(crankshaft sensor) No signa"l.

So, can I fix this myself or does it need to be"looked at" ?
31 is normal for a V6 that is not running :)
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: pinxos on 30 January 2008, 12:46:17
Ok, so that means I can't find out the problem from the fault codes then ? :(
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 30 January 2008, 12:48:31
Quote
Ok, so that means I can't find out the problem from the fault codes then ? :(

If that's the only code you have, it's not logged a fault. So it turns over ok..

Check fuse 18 is Ok (fuel pump?)

Also test for a spark...
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: Entwood on 30 January 2008, 17:26:43
Check spark plug holes for oil .. when my camshaft gaskets went and filled the plugs with oil I had no faults and a car that wouldn't start. did the gaskets, cleaned the plugs & HT leads .. all worked fine  :)

It is my belief that the plugs were shorting out so no spark was getting to the cylinders, and the "wasted spark" system doesn't help in this case .. :(
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: pinxos on 06 February 2008, 07:10:03
Update for info.
Towed the car to the local VX dealers on Firday (1st). They rang me on Monday to say they'd started the car, no problem. Left it overnight and again started no problem yesterday. They couldn't find any problem, no fault codes (suprise!!).
So I went to get it and it started OK this morning OK.
What's worrying is that it might happen again. Interestingly(or not), a colleague at work had a similar proble with an auto Mondeo and the AA guy moved the auto selector around and it started ok.
Could this have any bearing, could towing it have made some difference, it's all very baffling!!
Title: Re: Cold start problem
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 February 2008, 14:27:07
There is a starter inhibitor switch in the automatic gearbox selector switch but IIRC it cuts the signal to the solenoid, so the engine will not even crank if it thinks it's in gear.

Kevin