The 98 I sold to a buddy is having a starting problem. The wait to start light will stay on its full duration and when going off you have to give it a bunch of fuel to get started. It takes 2 or 3 cycles to get it started cold. 30 degree temps. When warm, it fires right up. It has the timing turned up to 16.5, #6 fuel plate, and 370 injectors. It always started up fine. Do you think the grid heater is bad or maybe check the idle? Looking for suggestions. I am going to help him out considering I put all the goodies on the truck and really miss the thing. I only sold it because the jetta gets at least double the fuel economy.

 

Check the relays that control the grids, under and to the rear of the driver's side battery.
Common problem I've found is that the small trigger wires fall off the relay. Give them a little squeeze with pliers so they fit tighter.
If the relay(s) are bad Ford starter relays make a cheap replacement.

 

i found if u run the heater(let the wait to start cycle) run it through turn it off then run it again and mine starts better. other then that go with the relays to the grid heater. the starter may be goin bad too. mine would like drag along and would take bout 5-8 seconds to start. now it starts right up in 20 degree weather. the rebuilt starter was round 60

 

Infidel, I will check them contacts. That sounds more like the problem than the starter. The starter works and cranks great. Any more ideas?

 

Aftre the grid-lights are off, set your foot on the throttle pedal, press down just about 1/2" or so, now crank...

 

tried that. Usually had to do that to get it started. Now you have to give it a bunch of pedal. WHEN it does start, she smokes pretty good. I am thinking it is with grid heater as he does not have problems when the motor is warm.

 

I worked on a '98 a while back that smoked like crazy on cold starts a couple weeks ago.
Don't ask me why but after removing the cat it quit doing it.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I THINK we got it fixed last night. We replaced the relay and worked great. Checked this morning and he said it fired right up. 31 degrees this morning, so I think we fixed er. Thanks for the help.
EDIT: The grid heater relay on the drivers side under the cover.