90' sw20 turbo - stalling on startup - Crank, Fire, Runs lumpy, stall; **FIXED**

Hey guys,

My deuce is playing up after being sat for awhile! My mr2 has only really been a weekend car over the past couple of years but lately it has developed an issue starting. At first it would crank, fire, run for a second or two then stall - throttle input would only make it stall straight away. This would only happen once or twice every so often when it had been inactive for awhile. With frequent use the issue went away and it would start fine every time.

 A couple of months ago the problem worsened (with the exact same issue) so I took it to the mechanic, however because the problem is intermittent (and it wassnt happening when I took it to them) they couldn't pin point the issue. They ran a few tests and found that the fuel pump was worn out, so I had them replace it. That appeared to solve the issue at that time. However I got really busy with work & study and really didn't have time to enjoy my deuce :( and now to my shock the problem is back and a lot worse than ever before!

The car refuses to start - although with the same symptoms.... Crank, Fire, Runs lumpy for a second or two then stalls and throttle input would only make it stall straight away.
  Most of the modifications are for handling but the ones related to the engine are; 
Sard "Analyse" ECU (retuned stock item from Japan - aggressive fuel maps and all limiters deleted) 
High flow turbo  
Larger throttle body - gen 3 i think 
3inch exhaust (silenced)  
pod 
electronic boost controller 

Since this is only a weekend car I would usually try and troubleshoot this myself but my skills with cars is limited to servicing and bolt on's lol (I'm a f**king noob!!) this and  I'm planning to move overseas(to Japan) soon and need to sell the car ASAP! This car is a big chunk of the money I hope to take with me. haha so if anyone could give me direction or help I would be immensely gratefull !  

TLDR: Crank, Fire, Runs lumpy for a second or two then stalls and throttle input will only make it stall straight away. 
  
I'll update this soon with all the potential fixes I have attempted so far. 
  
**********EDIT********* 
  
I've replaced the fuel filter and now its starting again but only runs slightly longer, really lumpy till it eventually stalls, I think I can hear a vac leak but am finding it pretty hard to track down. 
The strange thing is once I've repeatedly started it untill its warm it runs absolutely fine... doesnt miss a beat, that is... untill I let it cool back down and try again, so logic dictates its something to do with the whole cold start up process yeah?????  
  

  
THANKS HEAPS GUYS! 
 

******************************FIXED*********************************************
Hey guys sorry didnt update this sooner! 
  
The car is running perfect again! Big thanks to graham (EssDub) and Josh (MRTurbo) for theyre help, couldnt have done it without you guys! 

for those of you playing at home it ended up being a fried capacitor on the cold start ignition fueling circuit of the ECU (who could have guessed right?) 

here's a pic: 
 
[IMG=http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/5845/phototty.jpg][/IMG] 
Uploaded with ImageShack.us 

For any of you googling this issue or something similar, this problem has quite a unique symptom... The engine light will fade in and out while you are driving and eventually wont come on, - so you wont be able to pull codes !!! so if you are struggling to diagnose this kind of problem I recommend opening up the ECU to check for this!  

 

 

^and Hes back! welcome back MuMan :P
 
Josh - I'll see if I can have a look friday night, get 'EssDub' to possibily have a look at it too....

Looks like I know what i'm doing after work tomorrow... LOL

Hey guys
 
I've replaced the fuel filter and now its starting again but only runs slightly longer, really lumpy till it eventually stalls, I think I can hear a vac leak but am finding it pretty hard to track down.
The strange thing is once I've repeatedly started it untill its warm it runs absolutely fine... doesnt miss a beat, that is... untill I let it cool back down and try again, so logic dictates its something to do with the whole cold start up process yeah????? 
 
Its strange but my engine light doesnt work... Ive pulled apart the cluster and checked the globes but theyre all fine, so unfortunately I cant pull any codes off the ECU... perhaps its because the ECU has been modified? iuno; I thought other than the fuel maps and limiter deletes the ECU was pretty much identical to stock, also I'm using 98 (although it has been in the tank for a couple of months)
 
Had to pull the AFM off to do the fuel filter and I made sure everything was hooked up correctly and I also gave it a good clean!
 
I will look at the FPR tomorrow
 
haha that would be awesome EssDub!! I'll shout you guys dinner or something for all your troubles haha!

cheers for the help guys!
 

Sounds like your on the right track. If you think you can hear a vacuum leak, check all the lines off the manifold, including the two at the back, and the VSV underneath.