I recently purchased a 35km old AU XR6 that I am well chuffed with. However there is a small glitch that I have noted in cold starting, I suspect is probably quite normal but just want to check.
When starting from cold I never use any throttle, no injected engine I have ever driven has need it. However the engine starts and immediately reaches around 1500rpm then instantly die's. A restart works perfectly and the engine manages to maintain correct cold start rev's.
The problem never occurs once its been running for a couple of minutes, its as though it forgets to richen up on cold start and just flames out.
I am running 98 in it, and did note the problem didnt exist when on 91, this may or may not be a red herring.
Hi mate, congrates on your purchase of an AU XR6, i can vouch that there a nice car and definitly fun to drive. I'm assuming your car is 35,000km.
About the startup issue, mine doesn't actually go to 1500rpm but on a few occasions it does stall or almost stalls then settles on the first start, but on the the 2nd start is always startsup.
Having an EF and now the AUII i've noted that it's possibly a characteristic of the EEC-V computer with the coil pack ignition. The EF done this as well slow startup but rarely stalls, but i suspect (not sure if my theory is correct) that since the XR6 has a warmer cam when it struggles to start it has a tendancy to stall over the regular 4.0L engines.
I think as long as it drives ok and the starting issue does not get any worse i wouldn't worry about it.
About the startup issue, mine doesn't actually go to 1500rpm but on a few occasions it does stall or almost stalls then settles on the first start, but on the the 2nd start is always startsup.
Your description is spot on and reflects what happens much better than I described, and yes that is 35,000kms.
As you say, I don't really mind the false start it's the driving that counts.... was more curious as to whether it indicated a problem or was reasonably typical, and you have answered my question.
This problem has been brought up a few times. It seems to be an AU and AUII XR6 thing.
I had a brand new AU S pack and it started first time, every time. I then traded it in on a brand new AUII XR6 and found that every now and then it would stall at start as you described. After talking to others on this forum I found that it was a common problem with them.
I found that when you start it, just keep the key turned a second longer than you normally would and it should start first go. This won't hurt anything due to the failsafe system.
I also found after I drove down to Melbourne and gave the car a good run, it also would start first go everytime.
I don't have the problem any more since I fitted a performance exhaust. It might be because it is free flowing, though I wouldn't call that a cheap fix!
My dealer reckon's nothing's wrong with my car, they can't find anything anyway. My solution? When you turn on the ignition, wait until the ABS light goes out. Starts first time, everytime when I remember to do that.
I have similar problems in my AU XR6 HP ute, sometimes if it doesn't start first time the second time you try it doesn't catch for about 8 secs. Seems to happen after I fill up.
I usually wait a couple of seconds after I turn the ignition on before starting, as force of habit - previous car wouldn't start until the fuel pump had filled the fuel lines up to full presure.
When starting from cold I never use any throttle, no injected engine I have ever driven has need it. However the engine starts and immediately reaches around 1500rpm then instantly die's. A restart works perfectly and the engine manages to maintain correct cold start rev's.
The problem never occurs once its been running for a couple of minutes, its as though it forgets to richen up on cold start and just flames out.
I am running 98 in it, and did note the problem didnt exist when on 91, this may or may not be a red herring.
Cyril
I've got a AU, with exectly the same problem, when running Optimax! Im running 95 now, and the problem has seemed to stop. I just had a major service completed on it - the leads and spark plugs were changed, and also the fuel filter.
So can someone tell me what the problem is exactly? Does it hate high octane fuel, or is it something else? Do AU3/BA's have the same problem? Surely they would run the best on premium?
Can you please explain number 3?
Isn't that a bit dangerous? What if you left the car in gear?
Occasionally my AU XR6 has a little trouble starting. Occasionally being about once every 2 - 3 weeks (I drive it almost every day). Doesn't make a different what fuel (only use 95 or 98 RON) either. I had the car serviced (for the first time since ive had it) last week, and its done it once since then. It usually only happens in the most embarrassing places, like in front of your holden mates, or in the middle of the shopping centre with people everywhere. :hit:
I know with mine the start detente is locked out if the car is in gear. It just happens to be easier to hear the engine turn over and start. No, you're right it isn't a real good idea to start the car from the outside.
Yeah, I used to wait 3 secs after the fuel pump operated before starting, and that stoped it from stalling completly (still shook very badly). But for some reason its become worse.
Ford wants the car overnight so they can see it start in the morning, and find out the exact problem.
Well heres the deal with mine. On a cold start it starts fine. However after i back out of the garage and leave it in the driveway and restart it usually takes like 3 seconds before it starts and during that process it seems like the car is about to stall. Yes i believe the stalling tendancy is due to a warmer cam in the XR compared to the other models.
Howver once the car is warm it starts fine, no dramas.
I'm not worried about it at all as i believe it's just the characteristic of the EEC-V engine management system. I remember our EF doing the same thing.
Have you guys checked the base idle?
Every EF / EL / AU ive come across, the base idle is set way too slow,
When they set it in the factory its fine, but the throttle body gumms up a bit after a couple thousand k's, so it will begin to idle slower and slower, and the ecu will over compensate - hence the 1500 rpm start up.
Disconnect the black plug from the isc, and start the engine, then wind in the throttle body stop screw until its idlling around 600 rpm, then reconnect the isc.
If you dont have a tacho, just wind it in till its idling smooth and a decent speed, and doesnt sound like its about to stall
give it a go
9psi EB
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