Starting problem

[Little Kie]

Hopefully I have posted in the right section.

I have a 58 plate C30 1.8. It has less than 35k on the clock and it does very little miles (less than 5k a year). For some reason every now and then I have a starting problem (seems worse in the damp or wet) , the car turns over but doesn't fire. On occasions, turning the ignition on and off seems to resolve it, but like this evening when that didn't work putting my foot on the accelerator whilst it turns over will start it. Sometimes it will then run perfectly, other times is is lumpy until you give it a good rev which seem to clear it and then we have smooth running again. Nothing ever comes up in the fault codes, I suspect its the idle control valve but I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced the same and what was the fix? If it is the idle control valve do I need to replace it or just clean it? And where is it located.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you 😊

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by Little Kie

Hopefully I have posted in the right section.

I have a 58 plate C30 1.8. It has less than 35k on the clock and it does very little miles (less than 5k a year). For some reason every now and then I have a starting problem (seems worse in the damp or wet) , the car turns over but doesn't fire. On occasions, turning the ignition on and off seems to resolve it, but like this evening when that didn't work putting my foot on the accelerator whilst it turns over will start it. Sometimes it will then run perfectly, other times is is lumpy until you give it a good rev which seem to clear it and then we have smooth running again. Nothing ever comes up in the fault codes, I suspect its the idle control valve but I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced the same and what was the fix? If it is the idle control valve do I need to replace it or just clean it? And where is it located.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you 😊

when were the plugs last changed, ever had coilpack change? temperature related misfires ime can be a dodgy coilpack... I suspect your foot on the throttle simply 'feels' like it's making a difference, when it's not connected to it starting up. I don't think these modern engines have an idle stab. valve as have an electronic adaptive throttle body, but someone more knowledgeable than me maybe can advise on that front. There are vids online about cleaning the throttle body.. you MuST disconnect battery first, dont lose a finger! although it doesnt sound like a dirty TB.

Check connections to your ecm aswell make aure none are loose... there is guides on here to search.

[Little Kie]

Originally Posted by lockstock

when were the plugs last changed, ever had coilpack change? temperature related misfires ime can be a dodgy coilpack... I suspect your foot on the throttle simply 'feels' like it's making a difference, when it's not connected to it starting up. I don't think these modern engines have an idle stab. valve as have an electronic adaptive throttle body, but someone more knowledgeable than me maybe can advise on that front. There are vids online about cleaning the throttle body.. you MuST disconnect battery first, dont lose a finger! although it doesnt sound like a dirty TB.

Check connections to your ecm aswell make aure none are loose... there is guides on here to search.

Plug where changed in Jan, never had coil pack changed but would I not experience a misfire if a coil pack started breaking down? Should have mentioned this early but forgot, this does not happen on a cold start it always happens after a journey.

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by Little Kie

Plug where changed in Jan, never had coil pack changed but would I not experience a misfire if a coil pack started breaking down? Should have mentioned this early but forgot, this does not happen on a cold start it always happens after a journey.

some people have issues with non volvo plugs believe it or not. so even if you used a decent brand... it could be the cause. did it ever do it before jan?

Intermittent ignition issues still makes me think coilpacks.. but it could be a lot of things. yea you would likely be getting missfires aswell as starting issues though. Might need someone a bit more technical than me, but tbh without more info it's going to be tricky, you may need a garage to do a full diagnostic if you dont have vida.