Abstract: A starting control for a fuel injected diesel engine retards movement of the fuel injection control rack out of the starting position by a degree which varies with temperature to improve the starting characteristics of the engine without interfering with normal operation of the fuel injection system and its control rack. Movement of the control rack out of the starting position in response to the increasing force exerted by the governor on the control rack coupled floating lever of the fuel injection system is resisted by a damper in the form of a dashpot having a plunger coupled to the floating lever. The dashpot may be coupled to the floating lever by a pivotable crank and a pair of magnets respectively mounted on the crank and the floating lever, the magnets eventually separating to remove the starting control from the fuel injection system when the opposing forces of the governor weights and damper become great enough due to increased engine speed or when the crank reaches an adjustable limit stop.