Wont start when cold

[sammyb]

I have an 89 Festiva fuel injected automatic. When the temperature is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit it starts fine and runs fine. When it is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit it will not start. if I spray starting fluid in it, it runs just fine on starting fluid. so I figure it has to be the fuel injectors but why would they not work when it is cold? Has a new airflow sensor and great fuel pressure.

Thanks in advance!

[BigElCat]

It could be water in the gas, maybe (?) Try a bottle of Heet or rubbing alcohol in the gas tank. Just a guess, because 32 F is the freezing point of water.

[sammyb]

Sorry I forgot that I was able to run some heet through it while it was warm outside.

Thanks

[BigElCat]

So it's exactly 32 F when it fails, or do you mean really cold weather in general?

[sammyb]

Its very close to 32. It will run all day at 34 but 26 it won't. Just some observations I have made.

[TorqueEffect]

It does sound like water in the gas is freezing.

[sammyb]

I checked the fuel at around 20 degrees by cracking open the fuel line on the rail, it had lots of flow. Today it was 32 here it ran for about 30-45 seconds stalled and wouldn't restart.

[ericsmith32]

Wont start when cold

Pull the plug off the temp sensor on the thermostat housing and ground it on the block. My dads did something similar few years ago. Had to replace the switch.

[Movin]

Eric is pointing you in the right direction if you are not trying to burn water. Check the resistance of both air temp and coolant temp for the computer.

[Bert]

Throw a can of gas line antifreeze (methyl hydrate) in the tank and then switch over to pure gas. None of my carb vehicles like to start on ethanol-blend fuel when it's cold. Now, my idea of cold may be different from yours (0 F is my def'n) but it's worth a shot.

[sammyb]

This morning it was 19 degrees and it would not start. Today when I came home it is 41 degrees and it started right up and is running great. I pulled the temperature sensor wire this morning and the fan kicked on, I grounded it to the block and the fan shut off it still did not start. From everything I read the air temp sensor is part of the MAF on the 89. I have 1.8 volts on the MAF plug. I am not getting any error codes either. I just drove it 3 miles did great runs very smooth.

Again I really appreciate everyone's help!

[sammyb]

35 today ran great drove it to work. Supossed to get cold in a couple days I'll let you know if it starts. Remember not fuel related had a gusher at the fuel rail at 20 degrees. Looking for more ideas.

Thanks

[FestYboy]

when it's cold (no start cold) check for spark. an answer either way will determine where we need to look.

[Movin]

You checked the wrong coolant temp sensor. The one you want to check is the 2 wire sensor.