Cold Start Problem Fixed
 

Since the weather turned cooler here in AL last week my 91 GXL began to have starting issues. When I would start it in the morning it would rev to around 3k as normal but sputter out and die within seconds. It would start back up and repeat the process. Usually after the 3rd or 4th attempt it would begin to idle like normal (near perfect). The cooler the air and engine is the more attempts it would take to keep it running. No amount of tapping the throttle would keep it running.

On a gut feeling I assmed it was too much air getting into the motor. Then I remembered that I had disabled the secondary throttle plate actuator early in the summer because it was the source of a vaccum leak.

The secondary throttle plates are supposed to be closed by vaccum when the coolant temp is below (whatever) temperature. Once the engine is warm the vaccum is removed from the actuator and the secondary plates open. My problem was the acutator had a crack in it's diapharm and was a source of a vaccum leak.

This it was the coldest morning yet this season so following the pattern of the last week I figured it would take 5 attempts before I could get the car to idle. So before I started it this morning I used some safety wire to wire the secondary throttle plates closed.

Vroomm... Perfect idle on first try.

I already have a replacement actuator for the secondary plates but because it requires the removal of the throttle body to install I never put it on. Looks like a have a weekend project to do.

If you are having cold start issues check to see if your secondary throttle plates are working correctly. Apparently it makes a world of difference.