Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Rockhampton on 06 January 2011, 19:57:07

Title: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Rockhampton on 06 January 2011, 19:57:07
Hi all, not been on for a bit, been off having a baby and moving house  :y
My miggy has been behaving really well over the last few months, however she is sometimes becoming sluggish to start - usually after standing for more than a couple of hours. She does always start, but can take sometimes 5-10 seconds - she's always been a great starter, so really notice it. Sometimes, will start quickly, but others it seems a bit of a struggle. There's plenty of juice in the battery, and always at least 1/4 tank of fuel. No warning lights, and no codes on the pedal trick. Once started, runs fine, no issues at all. Filters all changed (inc. fuel) 12k ago, recent oil change. New 2-4-6 coil pack last year and sealed scuttle, all looks dry in there (symptoms were different then - poor running & eml). I'm going to have a look at the weekend, as I don't want to take it to a garage and have them replace parts until they find the right one at my expense!! >:(
Just wondered if any of you had any pointers or similar experiences - thanks in advance  :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 06 January 2011, 20:00:49
Any codes stored?
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Rockhampton on 06 January 2011, 20:07:47
Nothing on the pedal trick - I do it about once a month, and I've had nothing since the misfires on the coil pack over 12 months ago. :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: joshwyatt on 06 January 2011, 21:23:06
My bet would be on the coolant temperature sensor (CTS). I have a 2003 2.6 and I know the CTS has a problem with it. It gives exactly the same symptoms as yours. CTS is cheap, and not a massively hard job to do, although not something I would do myself.
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 06 January 2011, 21:36:13
I'm guessing you mean the 2 wire ECU CTS Josh?
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Rockhampton on 06 January 2011, 21:44:09
Quote
My bet would be on the coolant temperature sensor (CTS). I have a 2003 2.6 and I know the CTS has a problem with it. It gives exactly the same symptoms as yours. CTS is cheap, and not a massively hard job to do, although not something I would do myself.

Just been reading on the 'net of the symptoms of a dodgy CTS - it includes fuel economy issues - I've noticed over the last few weeks it's down a couple of MPG on the computer on my regular trips, but was just putting that down to the weather :(
Cheers - anyone know where it is, and what the expected output is if I stick a meter on it?  :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 06 January 2011, 21:55:24
There are 2 at the rear on the V in the coolant bridge. A 2 wire for the ECU and a single wire for the dash gauge, hence my question to Josh. No to hard if you take the plenum and skuttle off. I find them easier to get to if I kneel on a cushion placed on top the inlet and looking straight down the back of the engine.
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 06 January 2011, 21:56:39
I've got a few of both (used but working) if you want me to post one of each down to you?
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Rockhampton on 06 January 2011, 21:57:16
Quote
There are 2 at the rear on the V in the coolant bridge. A 2 wire for the ECU and a single wire for the dash gauge, hence my question to Josh. No to hard if you take the plenum and skuttle off. I find them easier to get to if I kneel on a cushion placed on top the inlet and looking straight down the back of the engine.

Thanks for that - so I guess that I would only need to replace the two wire one?? :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 06 January 2011, 21:58:33
Quote
Quote
There are 2 at the rear on the V in the coolant bridge. A 2 wire for the ECU and a single wire for the dash gauge, hence my question to Josh. No to hard if you take the plenum and skuttle off. I find them easier to get to if I kneel on a cushion placed on top the inlet and looking straight down the back of the engine.

Thanks for that - so I guess that I would only need to replace the two wire one?? :y

99% yes, but as before I can post you both just to be sure :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Vamps on 06 January 2011, 22:10:43
Quote
Hi all, not been on for a bit, been off having a baby and moving house  :y
My miggy has been behaving really well over the last few months, however she is sometimes becoming sluggish to start - usually after standing for more than a couple of hours. She does always start, but can take sometimes 5-10 seconds - she's always been a great starter, so really notice it. Sometimes, will start quickly, but others it seems a bit of a struggle. There's plenty of juice in the battery, and always at least 1/4 tank of fuel. No warning lights, and no codes on the pedal trick. Once started, runs fine, no issues at all. Filters all changed (inc. fuel) 12k ago, recent oil change. New 2-4-6 coil pack last year and sealed scuttle, all looks dry in there (symptoms were different then - poor running & eml). I'm going to have a look at the weekend, as I don't want to take it to a garage and have them replace parts until they find the right one at my expense!! >:(
Just wondered if any of you had any pointers or similar experiences - thanks in advance  :y

I have noticed similar problems on my 2.2 since it had the Head Gasket done, and notice a fall in mpg, though I accept that this will not be helped by the weight I have in the boot to help in the snow........

Till I read this I was thinking Lazy Starter, and also intended to check battery connections both tight; I have not carried out any investigations yet.
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Rockhampton on 06 January 2011, 22:19:24
Quote
I've got a few of both (used but working) if you want me to post one of each down to you?
Cheers - sending PM  :y

Vamps - I'll let you know how I get on  :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Rockhampton on 06 January 2011, 22:23:27
Quote
Quote
I've got a few of both (used but working) if you want me to post one of each down to you?
Cheers - sending PM  :y

Vamps - I'll let you know how I get on  :y

I'll get the camera out when I do it  :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 06 January 2011, 22:25:21
It'll be easier for you Mike if it is the CTS. Same applies though, skuttle off and get a cushion up on top and work downwards :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Vamps on 06 January 2011, 22:39:56
Quote
It'll be easier for you Mike if it is the CTS. Same applies though, skuttle off and get a cushion up on top and work downwards :y

Is this the potential problem then? and is this something the garage did not do correctly when fixing the car, also have low washer fluid alert all the time as well, fine before it went in  ::) A trusted local guy but given the size of the bill, if he is at fault I want him to sort...
 :-/ :-/
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 06 January 2011, 22:43:11
Live data should confirm or disprove it. Get them to compare the 2 coolant sensor readings :y

[edit]Sorry, just re-read that. Don't let them near your car again! Check that the plug is fully home and find someone who has access to live data :y[/edit]
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Vamps on 06 January 2011, 23:15:13
Quote
Live data should confirm or disprove it. Get them to compare the 2 coolant sensor readings :y

[edit]Sorry, just re-read that. Don't let them near your car again! Check that the plug is fully home and find someone who has access to live data :y[/edit]

Who, me???? getting confused, that time of night ;) ;)
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 07 January 2011, 05:58:34
Quote
Quote
Live data should confirm or disprove it. Get them to compare the 2 coolant sensor readings :y

[edit]Sorry, just re-read that. Don't let them near your car again! Check that the plug is fully home and find someone who has access to live data :y[/edit]

Who, me???? getting confused, that time of night ;) ;)

Yes you! ;D
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Vamps on 07 January 2011, 22:36:36
Quote
Quote
Quote
Live data should confirm or disprove it. Get them to compare the 2 coolant sensor readings :y

[edit]Sorry, just re-read that. Don't let them near your car again! Check that the plug is fully home and find someone who has access to live data :y[/edit]

Who, me???? getting confused, that time of night ;) ;)

Yes you! ;D

 :-[ ::) ::)


Where does this plug in to on a 2.2?
Is this like a 'choke'?
Will it ever 'fail to start'? got very slow at one point today :(
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Welung666 on 08 January 2011, 08:58:21
Mike, it's at the rear of the head. There are 2 there. Follow the HBV feed pipe back to the head, just behind it you'll feel 2 small sensors, a 2 wire (blue) which is the ECU CTS and a brass top hat type one with a single spade connector which is the dash CTS. The ECU uses the feedback from the blue CTS to alter fuelling in a similar way to a choke, so in a way yes and it could stop it running properly :y
Title: Re: Becoming difficult to start....
Post by: Rockhampton on 11 January 2011, 20:35:10
Well, it finally threw a code last night after a load of cranking... P0335, Crank Sensor...... so off to the garage it went this morning  :(