Hello all,
I have a '91 Talon Tsi and I've noticed lately that it's hard to start. It cranks over fine but will not fire. After a couple times trying it finally starts. This happens cold or hot.

Any thoughts?

Sounds to me like bad plugs/wires

Maybe fuel filter needs changed?

Fuel, Spark, Timing (not that you don't already know this).

I'd check the plugs for quality spark first. Then look to make sure you're getting fuel to the cylinder. Then look into the timing in the form of CAS, and ECU.

That's the process I'd go through to start tracking it down personally.

I had the same problem. It would take a while to get it started, then one day it died and I couldn't get it started again. I could not figure it out but I finally did this weekend. It was the ecu. Put one in and it started right up after sitting for like 3 months.

Thanks everyone!

I went out tonight after work and it fired right up!?!?!?!?

I'll get to checking stuff later in the week!

In that case I'm changing my vote to ECU too. They are far more hit and miss then plugs

Well I went out at lunch today and the stupid POS wouldn't start. Turned over fine but would not fire! After 6 times turning the key on and off I gave up. I went back out 15 minutes later and it started like nothing was wrong!?!?!?! I drove it around and it ran 100%! After work it would not fire again so I left it!!

Is it the ECU? Fuel pump?? Coil Pack (s)??


Thanks!!

I'm goin with ecu on this one

not too long ago my car was doing the same damn thing and sure enough it was the ecu. Thanks to travis i found out it was the ecu. The fist problem i noticed was i was driving it and then i went inside for a few min and came back out and it wouldnt start. Eventually i got it to start, it happened a few more times this same way and then it was just done for good. I'm sorry to hear another person joins the failed ecu group. haha

I'm gonna have to guess that you should give me the car Brett! No really though, Ide guess on either ECU or O2 sensor. Probably the ECU though.

Actually I might sell it soon. (I'll fix it first!) With the holiday's coming up a little extra money would be nice!

It started today and I drove it to my shop and removed the ECU. Sure enough when I opened it, one of the big caps is leaking and it smells like dead fish! It has a black spot (size of a quarter) by the leaking cap so i'm guessing that it is shorting something out. That's explains the intermittent starting issue lately.

I need an ECU ASAP!

I hear spy is buying junk ECU's if you want to get rid of the old one.

I've got a 90 FWD 5spd ECU that you might be able to use... you'll have to switch a couple wires around to get it to work in your 91, but it looks ok inside. Haven't had a chance to see if it works or not yet, but I'm sure we can work something out.

might be interested if he isn't. price?

PM sent!

I have a complete set of capacitors to replace them all on your current ECU Brett. You can have them. Give me a call if you are interested and i could drop them by bloomington if you feel like your soldering skills are up to the challenge! If you dont have my # still PM me. I'm seriously missing my talon a TON and my dream car is a 91 black talon without a sunroof so call me anyways.

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