Low oil pressure cold start
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 8
From: Washington
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8
Low oil pressure cold start
So like the title says when I'm trying to start my car cold it takes a while for it to start firing. I noticed that it starts firing when the oil pressure gauge gets high. I don't have the cold start injector and if already replaced my oil pressure sensor. Is there a way to get oil pressure built up faster?
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 427
From: Portland, OR
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
Sounds like you aren't getting fuel pump power till you build oil pressure. The fuel pump prime relay gives fuel pump power during key-on and cranking, etc. Then the oil pressure switch takes over. I would be looking at the fuel pump relay and it's power source, etc.
GD
GD
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 427
From: Portland, OR
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
Do you have a test light or meter? You should check for power to the pump when you turn the key on (do not crank the engine). This will tell you if there is power there with key on and cranking before the oil pressure switch closes. It may not be the relay itself - could be the ECM isn't triggering it or it has no power going to it... etc.
GD
GD
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 8
From: Washington
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
I'll have to check that when I get home. I know it takes a while for the fuel pump to prime again if I turn the key to the on position and then turn it off then trying to get it to prime again for another cycle takes a while.
Supreme Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 60
From: ARIZONA
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 427
From: Portland, OR
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
There is a relay that is designed to kick on the pump at key-on, cranking, and for a bit after start to let it build oil pressure. Then the pressure switch takes over so if it's in an accident the fuel pump power will b cut by the loss of oil pressure.
GD
GD
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 8
From: Washington
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L V8
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 427
From: Portland, OR
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Supreme Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 60
From: ARIZONA
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
I am not claiming anything. I just remember seeing that somewhere on here.
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/l98.htm
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/l98.htm
Last edited by Vanilla Ice; May 16, 2017 at 03:09 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Glenbeulah, WI
Car: 1988 Firbird
Engine: 406
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
Injector firing is not related to oil pressure. My guess is you need a new chip to add in additional cranking fuel to help it start quicker.
Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Car: 1988 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: The All-Powerful 2.8l!! :P
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
You said you replaced the oil pressure sensor, what about the oil pressure switch? Last time I checked there was 2 switches-the oil pressure sensor that gives your gauge reading, and the oil pressure switch that actually runs the pump.
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 18,432
Likes: 234
From: Chasing Electrons
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
So like the title says when I'm trying to start my car cold it takes a while for it to start firing. I noticed that it starts firing when the oil pressure gauge gets high. I don't have the cold start injector and if already replaced my oil pressure sensor. Is there a way to get oil pressure built up faster?
Do a key-on, engine-off (KOEO). The fuel pressure should rise to about 43 psi. After about 2 seconds the pump should stop and the fuel pressure should drop a little. It may also bleed off quickly, but the key here is to see if the pump runs at KOEO.
In the above test if the fuel pressure doesn't increase at KOEO, then the fuel pump relay isn't sending power to the pump. Start the trouble shooting there.
If the fuel pressure did get up near 43 psi, then tap over the ignition key to crank the engine for a brief period of time. The pump should run again for 2 seconds and bring the fuel pressure up. If so then the fuel pump, pump relay, and pump wiring is OK.
Do you know whether the ECM has the stock PROM in it? Or has it been tuned?
RBob.
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 18,432
Likes: 234
From: Chasing Electrons
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: Low oil pressure cold start
I am not claiming anything. I just remember seeing that somewhere on here.
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/l98.htm
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/l98.htm
RBob.
Supreme Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 60
From: ARIZONA
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08






