Struggles to start

1. user_64763 Established Member Joined: Jun 2013 York Posts: 2134 Citroen Saxo VTR (2001)

   #1 24th December 2013, 09:40

   A good half of the time when I try to start my car, it sounds very weak when it starts or sometimes itll sort of half start and be idling at about 600rpm, I'll turn it off and try again and it'll normally be ok then. Or sometimes it will not quite fire up but if I press the accelerator it'll fire up, I don't have to press the accelerator far at all, just a small bit is enough to fire it up.
   Now my battery is only 360amps which I thought is rather small, my old Saxo was 520amps so is this anything to do with it? Or is it starter motor thats a bit crap? Its recently had full service, fuel filter, spark plugs, oil, oil filter, gearbox oil etc and its still the same! It used to be a lot worse when it had a crappy enclosed ebay induction kit, since I fitted an open air filter it starts a lot better but still can be a bit hesitant, any ideas?
2. user_64763 Established Member Joined: Jun 2013 York Posts: 2134 Citroen Saxo VTR (2001)

   #2 24th December 2013, 09:47

   I was thinking coilpack but once its started it runs fine??
3. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #3 24th December 2013, 21:03

   Go round & clean up the connections to the starter & battery & make sure they`re all on tight.
4. oneroute Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 25 Mustang GT350,Mustang Cobrajet,Sunbeam Tiger Escor

   #4 26th December 2013, 18:52

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by jbrady72 A good half of the time when I try to start my car, it sounds very weak when it starts or sometimes itll sort of half start and be idling at about 600rpm, I'll turn it off and try again and it'll normally be ok then. Or sometimes it will not quite fire up but if I press the accelerator it'll fire up, I don't have to press the accelerator far at all, just a small bit is enough to fire it up. Now my battery is only 360amps which I thought is rather small, my old Saxo was 520amps so is this anything to do with it? Or is it starter motor thats a bit crap? Its recently had full service, fuel filter, spark plugs, oil, oil filter, gearbox oil etc and its still the same! It used to be a lot worse when it had a crappy enclosed ebay induction kit, since I fitted an open air filter it starts a lot better but still can be a bit hesitant, any ideas?

   
   Might be worth checking your idle control valve,also called the stepper motor?
   It could be faulty or,if you have disconnected it for any reason, it will need to be reset. Your accelerator cable needs to be set correctly also, as these two work in conjunction with each other,especially when starting from cold when the revs are set higher just like a choke.