Mg tf starting problem

Hi All

I’m a new member, unfortunately I’ve got a starting problem with my Mg Tf, sorry this is a long one ..

It’s a 2004 1.8 135 with 66k on it good service history and seems to be in very good condition.

I bought it a month or so ago, it has been off the road for a year
Started up off a jump and ran and drove fine. In the process of getting it MOT’d (replaced the middle flexi section as it sounded like a hot rod and some tyres)

Got a new battery but it seems to have a problem starting. When cold to take 2 or 3 times to start ..splitters and dies and throttle won’t respond. Once running it’s prefect, sounds smooth and quiet.

Once it’s up to temp if you try to restart it turns over but won’t start until it’s cooled down.

Checked the obvious, temp sits just above half, no excessive smoke, clean oil/coolant

Plugged in a code reader and have and have 2 stored codes
P0304
P0313
And one pending
P0313
Cleared these and why haven’t returned as yet

Today I removed the spark plugs to see what they were like ..white ish tips so seems to be running hot

Looking online seems the temp sensor can cause some problems so I’ve ordered one

It’s got fresh petrol in but maybe the filter needs changing

Any ideas suggestions welcome

Thanks

Hi and welcome to the forum.

1) Plug in your OBD2 reader again and have a look at live data for the coolant.
With a cold engine it should read ambient, as the car warms up it should reach around 70' before the dash gauge starts to move and then reach around 88' when the dash gauge reaches just under half way, if not the sensor is goosed and the car will be incorrectly fuelling.

Unplug the sensor and the rad fan at the front of the car should start working.


Replace the sensor, you car should have a blue sensor for the dash gauge and a black one for the ECU. Replace the black one with another black one, do not try a blue one as the wiring is different and do not use a brown one as they are for earlier cars and will give a false reading.

2) Do a throttle position sensor reset.

Switch on the ignition to position 2 (ignition on) but do not start the car, firmly and fully depress the car to the floor five times in 30 seconds (do not stab it).
Wait 30seconds.
Start the car.

3) Run some injector cleaner through the car and a tank full of premium (98 or 99 ron unleaded) through the car.

4) Report back and let us know how you get on.

James

Thanks you james, just the sort of info I needed

When we get a dry spell I’ll have a look and report back

Thanks again

Hi,

So I’ve had a look and followed the instructions

Started from cold with the scanner connected

Temp gradually creeps up. With the temp on the dash just below half the car reads 85 deg but seems to creep up to 96 deg

Disconnecting the sensor put the fan at the front on straight away

Did the throttle reset

That seems in order.

Next thing to be checking are the earths -

1) Body to battery
2) Engine to body - this is from the diff on the gearbox to the rear bulkhead.

and the two leads on the starter.

Have you checked/cleaned the IACV (Idling air control valve)

You should hear it clicking away when you turn ignition on and off

It adjusts the idle air flow, so if not working could cause starting issues. A bit like an old fashioned (!!) Choke!

Known to stick.

So had chance to have another look the other day.

Checked the earths as advised, all seem to be good (tight and with no corrosion)

Put half a tank of petrol in and ran it up to temp. Over the next few days, checked again for codes (none)

Since then it’s started on the button hot, cold or whatever without issue.

I’ll be putting it in for mot once I’m 100% sure it’s ok.

I’ve ordered a service kit including a fuel filter as I don’t think it’ll do any harm.

Thanks all