I just want to re-interate something that has already been pointed out, but can't be overstated. The fuel circuit on the 4JX1 is an advanced high-presure system. The enjine won't kickover until the fuel system is up to pressure...you need to wait a few seconds at ignition-on before you crank it, and then crank continuously for the 3-4 (4-5-6)seconds that it takes for the engine to start. The worst thing to do with this engine is to flick through ignition-on without waiting, then stop the key-turn 1-2-3 seconds in because it doesn't kick-over (like you might in gasoline/petrol powered vehicle).

Isuzu suffered for this quirk, with as many user claims as there are vehicles on the road.

The hard start (as has been mentioned already) is sometimes worse with out-of-spec oil, or oil that is old and tired. Engine oil flows through the diesel pump itself (around those very tight nooks and crannies surrounding the injectors, too) and makes a huge difference. Users in hot climates are sometimes tempted to use 15-40 or 20-50 weight oils and create problems at cold start. In diesels, most wear and tear occurs at cold start.

Your problem may be related to the way you crank over the engine. The short spurt type crank I mentioned above has been reported to damage the pump. A fatigue problem.

Or, it may be directly related to the alarm install. The entire fuel circuit is a maze of electronic sensors and relays fed directly to the ECM. The injectors, too, are directly plugged into the ECM. Any electronic problems will effect the engine directly. Any shorts, any loose grounds...

As an aside, there are no aftermarket alarm makers (or remote engine-starter makers) in Japan that make a harness for the 4JX1. It's factory or nothing. Or, it's a special order from someone who knows the 4JX1 well enough. Even then, remote-starters don't last. Even if they can be programmed for the delayed-start, they end up not coping with the continuous cranking.


--Bighorn--