>>>The Condition Levers have to be in "Run" Position. This could be a bit fiddly, the lever has to be exact in postion - 1 mm above or under the engine won't start<<<<
I can confirm your observetion.
If I start in cold&dark the condition levers are in the feather position
If I touch the the levers they jump in the run position exactly.
I think this was a reason for engine start problems too