Range Rover Starting Problem when Cold

[DawidJansevanRensburg]

My 1996 Range Rover V8 petrol does not want to start when cold at all. Cold is around 5-10 degrees C. Cranks for a long while, until battery runs down. When in the sun (around 20 C) for a while, the car starts immediately. During the day (when the engine is warm) starts without any problem? Any ideas will be appreciated!

 

[Wazzajnr]

Do you have any diagnostics? My first thought would be temperature sender giving false readings or MAF sensor.
Could also be low fuel pressure but that would cause issues at any temp.
Not sure if the gems is a "hotwire" MAF or not? Think that was on the classics but even so, the MAF does measure air temp so that would explain it.

 

[DawidJansevanRensburg]

Thanks very much for the reply, have a workshop down the road with diagnostics. MAF sensor does sound like a possible culprit here. Replaced fuel pump 1 year ago due to similar problem, but then when the engine was hot/warm, and was fine for the year.

 

[Wazzajnr]

Thanks very much for the reply, have a workshop down the road with diagnostics. MAF sensor does sound like a possible culprit here. Replaced fuel pump 1 year ago due to similar problem, but then when the engine was hot/warm, and was fine for the year.

I think on the gems MAF sensor it's reasonably successful cleaning them so probably worth a try before you do anything. Have a search in the forum for gems MAF and there'll be plenty of threads detailing how to clean them. If that fails then substitute with a known good one or diag is the best route

 

[wammers]

The MAF only needs to know the inlet air temp for the purpose of measuring flow. Look at the ECU temperature sender as the source of your problem.

 

[DawidJansevanRensburg]

Makes perfect sense! Will get the car looked at and let you know how it panned out...

 

[Ruby Range]

you can just clean the MAF with a good sensor cleaner or carb cleaner. just don't use anything that will leave a residue as this will collect dirt and give a false reading