VP starting Issue

[Paulib]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forums, brought a VP commodor. Its got all the usual issues (from what I've seen and read)- Headliner - cracked dash speaker etc. Planning to fix it up though (thats half the fun of owning a car isn't it) Had to change the radiator, radiaor fan switch, temp sensor when I first brought it though and it runs a bit hot but looking through the forums it seems quite normal. There's just one issue I'm not sure about and wondering if you someone could help.

When I start it and it hasn't been run for a few hours it takes a while to start ( a good 30secs), it cranks but wont start.

When it does start it starts prefectly, no smoke and and idles fine and runs mint. It starts perfectly if you turn it off and start it again or start it while its still pretty warm.

I don't really know much about cars but I was wondering if anyonee knows what this could be? The oil light goes off just before it starts if this helps. I thought it could be a fuel issue, maybe a slow leak that happens when I park the car and I spoke to a mechanic mate and he said it could be the enigine losing pressure when it parked.

How would I check these things or could it be something else?

[LordMayhem]

mate i had this issue with a vp i had. it turned out that the fuel pump wire had come disconected just under the fuse box in the engine bay. apparantly they have a back up off the oil pressure switch which is why when left for a bit it doesn't start till the oil light goes off.

[Gaz_3110]

That combined with a clogged fuel filter.....Fuel filters are cheap....best to replace every 6-18 months depending on where you liv/drive.

[Paulib]

Cheers guys

Whats the best way and easiest (if they're not the same :P) to tell if the fuel pump is running? Or checking if its getting power?

I'm not that great at diagnosing electrical issues; Should I unscrew the fuse box so I can see all the wires etc?

I got the car a full service when i brought it a few months ago, and they should've changed the fuel filter. But i guess I'll have a read through they're notes, I've seen how to change the filter in these forums. Sorry for all the newb questions - will be looking for a manual tonight lol.

[LordMayhem]

just look for a loose wire under the fusebox in the engine bay mate may have snapped off or just the connection has come apart. i think from memory it was a brown wire. the fuel pump will still be working just it will be running off the oil pressure circuit (it is the back up for it) hense the car not firing till the oil light goes out (motor gets oil pressure and complete's the circuit). a gregories manual is your friend

[Gaz_3110]

Another way is to listen under the hood while its swiched to ON youll hear the noise of the uel filling the fuel rail.

[vn_v6]

take the vacum line off the fuel reg if its wet with fuel, thats your problem, check injector seals for vaccum leaks, and check if they dribble, fixed mates vp last weekend by changing the reg

[VK SL 3800]

mate i had this issue with a vp i had. it turned out that the fuel pump wire had come disconected just under the fuse box in the engine bay. apparantly they have a back up off the oil pressure switch which is why when left for a bit it doesn't start till the oil light goes off.

The fuel pump relying on the backup circuit is quite possible, when you first turn the key to the ON position you should here the fuel pump switch on, it runs for a certain amount of time then switches off. It makes a buzzing whirring sound at the rear of the car, easy to hear in the shed with the door open or window down, if you dont hear it start checking for loose terminals in the areas stated above.

[Paulib]

There was no loose wire, but will check everything else.

Gonna take the fuse box out in the weekend and check everythings tight and will check the fuel reg and injectors and let you know how it goes.

If it is the fuel pump not getting power any suggestions on how to find where the break could be?

[Paulib]

Had a look this weekend and found the fuel pump relay missing

I moved the one from A/C since I don't actually have A/c

Thanks for all your help guys and pointing me in the right direction You saved me alot of time and possibly money (when I had it serviced the mechs had a breif look but couldn't figure it out - I'm sure their solution would've been replace everything lol)

[Warranty Void]

Well done mate!