1996 Cobra Delayed Starting

[Sn8kebitten]

I'm curious if anyone else has ran into this issue I'm having on my Cobra. I owned this car from '09 to '15, and it always fired up without a problem. I bought the car back in '23, and since then, I've noticed it has a consistent delay when starting, sometimes taking 3-5 seconds of holding the key forward before the starter engages, and then it fires up fine. If I drive to town and shut it off, then fire it back up later, it will turn over immediately. The delay only happens after the car hasn't ran for several days or longer.

Could it be a worn out starter solenoid or maybe a ground somewhere that isn't getting good contact? I don't get to drive the car often unfortunately, but this has always bugged me lol

 

[ttocs]

could be the fuel pump, dirty filter or something preventing enough fuel from getting up to the motor, and this is easy to test. Next time you get in the car turn the key to run and listen while the fuel pump primes for 5 secs. When it finishes, turn the key off, then back on to run and you will once again wait 5 secs for the pump to prime a 2nd time and when it finishes THEN crank it to start and see if it fires right up. If it does it is a fuel problem, start simple with the filter but start looking at pumps or regulators.....

 

[96blak54]

"sometimes taking 3-5 seconds of holding the key forward before the starter engages"

Sounds like a worn starter to me. The mechanics of it could be sticky and weak. Typical of an old factory starter.

 

[badass98svt]

Sounds like the starter/solenoid could be failing.
That damn 3rd bolt is a pain in the ass.