Restart problems on 965 SE

Dear all

I would appreciate your help with the following problem.

My 1995 965 SE has developed the fault of refusing to restart when cold. For example if the car is parked and the engine is cold but I need to move it to let someone out it starts fine but if I turn the engine off it will not start again. If I drive it 20 miles so the engine is warm and then turn the engine off for a short time e.g. to refuel it starts again with no problem.

There is never a problem starting it cold first time.

The battery is heavy duty and was replaced a couple of years ago.

My local Volvo main dealer has been unable to diagnose let alone cure the problem.

Can anyone help please.

Many thanks

David

[Citizen.Agfa]

G'day. Got this from Honest John in the Telegraph;

Rio not grand

My wife runs a 1994 Rover Metro Rio that she has had from new. It has covered 16,000 miles to date. It has been serviced at the recommended intervals but has developed an annoying, intermittent problem of refusing to start, usually after a run of about two miles. It will start if left for about half an hour and always starts from cold. Have you any idea about the cause?
J.W., via email
Yes. Overfuelling from its miserable life of short runs. All that is happening is that the ECU is trying to protect the catalytic converter from all the unburned fuel slopping around in the engine, caused by its life of short runs from cold starts. Give the car a bit of proper exercise and you might be able to save its life.

Now I know you haven't got a Rio but the principle's the thing; presuming your 965 has a cat then the ECU is preventing fuelling 'cos it senses existing fuel around the sensor; however, if your car ain't got a cat then I'm buggered if I know.

Good luck and let us know how it goes, regards, Nick H.

[Peter Milnes]

Try the Brickboard FAQs on this website. This will tell you the most likely cause or causes which you can then eliminate those which have no effect.

All the best, Peter.