Thread: '03 Grand Prix starts then dies right away

Hey guys, so I'm sure you've all seen this title before but from what I've researched, I can't find anything similar to my experience. My issue is my car starts, then dies right away. It doesn't sputter or anything, just dies. What makes this case unique (at least I think) is that on the second (sometimes third) try, the car starts right up and idles just fine. There are no performance issues while driving, it's only the startup that's having some issues. My wife is the primary driver of the vehicle and she claims that she once smelled gas. I tried uplugging the MAS and nothing got better. I actually replaced the IAC valve because I accidentally broke it while cleaning it... But other than that, got any ideas? I feel like if it were the fuel pump or a fuel issue I would have issues while driving. To me, it sounds like a vacuum leak, but wouldn't that trip the CEL? I didn't see any leaks from the hoses under the hood.Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Sounds like you've done your research.

So ...we talking SC or NA?

I'm not sure what that means?

Oh gotcha. No, no supercharger. 3.8L. It's the GT but not SC.

Originally Posted by Econdron

Hey guys, so I'm sure you've all seen this title before but from what I've researched, I can't find anything similar to my experience. My issue is my car starts, then dies right away. It doesn't sputter or anything, just dies. What makes this case unique (at least I think) is that on the second (sometimes third) try, the car starts right up and idles just fine. There are no performance issues while driving, it's only the startup that's having some issues. My wife is the primary driver of the vehicle and she claims that she once smelled gas. I tried uplugging the MAS and nothing got better. I actually replaced the IAC valve because I accidentally broke it while cleaning it... But other than that, got any ideas? I feel like if it were the fuel pump or a fuel issue I would have issues while driving. To me, it sounds like a vacuum leak, but wouldn't that trip the CEL? I didn't see any leaks from the hoses under the hood.Thanks in advance!

I had the same issue as of yesterday. Mines 2004. I was in autozone the other day buying a few things and the guy at the counter talked me into a product called Lucas upper cylindar lubricant and injector cleaner. I bought it because he said he used it when his car wouldn't start first time. It was obvioulsy a product they had to push. He said his car starts first time everytime after using the product so I thought i'd give it a whirl. I used half the bottle before filling up (per instructions and tank size). I drove a few miles this weekend and used a full tank. This morning I don't have any issues starting. I've been out and about a few times and it starts first time no issues. It obviously needs a few more days until I can safely say it's worked but so far so good. For the sake of 5 bucks .. give it a try.

Peace

So I hate it when I'm looking for advice, reading another persons forum and the end solution is never stated so I thought I wouldn't be that guy and I would let everyone know that I replaced the Fuel Pressure Regulator ($30 and 5 minutes) and haven't had any issues. Thanks for all your advice!

Thank you for taking the time in leaving your results at the end of your thread. It is appreciated and you are right, I find way too many forums left with unanswered questions so I also try leave as much information as I can as well to help the next guy. I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix with the same problem. I turn the key to start it, the rpms go up and the car acts like I started it but once the idle and the rpm slowly gets back down to the normal idle position the car sputters and dies like it ran out of gas. "So pretty much dies right after starting it." I don't have to pump the gas or even try cranking it over, I simply have to just tap the gas to hold the rpm a smidge above normal idle for maybe a second and it will stay running just fine. Not too big of a deal but because of it, I cannot use my remote start because I am not in the car to tap the gas and that quick second of it officially turning over. So thank you for your thread and I too will follow up with what worked for me.

Thank you for ending this thread with your final results. It helped me narrow down my options of where to begin. I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix and when I turn the key to start it, the vehicle will Rev and rpms raise like it's going to turn over but as soon as the rpm goes down to the Idle position the vehicle will sputter and die. This also refrains me from being able to use my remote start. Once I start the key and tap the gas then the vehicle stays running and drives normal as if there is no other fuel relating issue. I am going to try the Fuel Pressure Regulator first because of this thread, and I will drop a comment if that was or what was the final result my issue as well. Thanks

Good job.
Thanks for the update.