Would anyone be able to explain to me how to override the cold start injector in this car? Only I've had real trouble getting it to start some mornings. Im not sure why, as it's been more wet than cold - but I'm willing to try anything.
Being an electrically-activated injector which by passes the metering provided by other components, you should check the thermo-time switch and make sure that's working properly since it controls whether or not the cold-start valve receives power during the starting phase (otherwise the engine could flood if it's warm and the thermo-time switch energises the cold-start injector. The Bentley manual has good coverage of testing the various part of the fuel-injection system so have a read and if you think something isn't right, test it and be sure.
If the thermo-time switch checks out ok, try testing the cold-start injector itself by undoing it's securing bolts and placing it (still connected to it's fuel line) into a container and make sure it operates when you crank the engine cold. If the injector doesn't expel any fuel, the cold-start injector itself might be faulty but there are some checks you can do on it to be certain. Also, you need to be sure that the cold-start injector has a supply of fuel to it. Something in the fuel supply system could be wrong (perhaps the fuel accumulator isn't holding pressure in the fuel supply line from the tank) if the cold-start valve seems to be ok.
Best bet is to take the distributor cap off and make sure the rotor and the cap are both ok. Clean them, and also make sure the rotor and the contacts for each of the spark plug leads are not too badly pitted. Also check that the distributor cap doesn't have any hairline cracks as that can be a source of HV 'leakage' to earth.
If the car still won't start reliably after you have checked and cleaned the HV section of the distributor, check the spark too. There is a procedure in the Bentley manual for testing the spark's 'intensity' which can indicate whether or not the coil might not be working properly.
I'm sure other people reading this newsgroup will come up with some good ideas that I haven't thought of...
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