Lately my car has been acting very wierd when I start it cold. If I just turn the key and let it crank, the car will take about a minute to start. But if I press down the gas pedal and crank the engine it starts right up. I am glad I am able to drive my car even though there is something wrong, but I was hoping somebody else has had the same problem and could help me out. In my opinion it sounds like clogged injectors. What do you think?

I have the same problem, but I haven't solve it out yet, I supprose is the ignition system...

Are there any things goes wrong in the your ignition system?? spark plug, coil????

Your cold start valve (injector) is probably malfunctioning.
What car??

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

I have a 1987 190E 2.3-16. Where is this cold start valve located and how much would the part cost? It doesn't sound like it is a hard part to replace. Is it hard?

Hi Tom,

I also have an 87 190E-16V. The cold start valve is located between the 2nd and 3rd intake runners, on the throttle-body side of the idle valve / junction. You'll see what I mean. It's easy to change, but I'd check to see if the correct Voltage/Current is arriving at the cold start valve before you buy a new one. Sorry, but I'm not sure what the correct values are supposed to be. You might want to buy the service CD-ROM as it has lots of cool info, including a complete troubleshooting guide for the fuel management system.

Hope this helps,

Daniel

87 190E-16V Blk/Blk 5Spd.

ok, but how about the 92' 300E??

Gary, it is located between the front three intake manifold runners and the rear three. Looks like a fuel injector (which it is). Sits on a little mini manifold of it's own, (actually kinda cute!)

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

Not to put down cold start valves, but in over twenty-five years working around mostly MB German cars, I have seen maybe three cold start valves causing problems. All of those were leaks and had nothing to do with cold starting.

But I do live in Florida. Cold start valves don't operate ever above 59 deg F. so cold is relative. A cold motor does not necessarily ever see cold start valve operation. In Florida it may never see cold start valve operation.

Its very likely that the valve plays a big part when real cold, I can't say, but usually cold start problems are due to other system weaknesses. Poor plugs, bad mixtures, weak wires. Testing always is the answer.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Why not just unplug the connection to see if it makes a difference. If it is leaking, which Steve indicates is rare, it should be easily visible once removed.

Tinker

I solved my problem by changing spark plugs. Had the rotor and cap changed previously also, but no luch with that. It starts up right away, warm or cold. Before, it would start up warm right away, but not cold.

Cold start valves are an expensive (~180), unreturnable electrical part and a last choice for possible replacement. Try your fuel filter.

A new OVP relay solved my cold start problem. Now it starts w/o using the gas pedal, on the first time and w/o a long crank time. Old OVP relay did not have a blown fuse, new relay has two fuses.