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Starting issues

Billyb

Billyb

New member
Hello everybody!

Just wanted to see if you guys help, because you haven't let me down in the past. I've had my 05' GT for about a year and a half, and recently, it hasn't been starting on the first try. I am not sure why.

I checked my spark plugs, and they look good. I just recently changed the oil, I run Mobil 1 synthetic, and change it every 3-5k. I've heard that this problem is just a 3800 thing?

I really hope not.

My car usually starts the 2nd time at least, but I have to give it a little gas right after it turns over. Has anybody else had this problem before, and if you have, how could I fix it?

The only thing I could think of that I haven't checked is my air filter, like maybe it's not getting enough when I try to start it up? I bought one of those K&N filters that you can clean and reuse, so I will try that as well. It has been a while since I've cleaned it.

I've put 40,000 miles on my car in the past year if that means anything to anybody.

Any thoughts?

Thanks everybody,
Bill
 


Bill...

Not starting on the first time is not a common thing to 3800's or a 3800 only thing. There's the good news.

To know why your car isn't starting let's explore what happens to start it. The key is turned and the fuel pump pressurizes the fuel system, the injectors prime the cylinders and the starter turns the motor over and the coils send spark to the cylinders.

Try waiting one second from turning the key to the on position before engaging the starter. That would lead us toward a fueling issue.
 
At 40K, I would be using a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner and clean out the throttle body, using the spary can cleaner by hand. That is where I would start...
 
I just got a fuel system cleaning last week. It seems to run smoother while I'm driving, but not when I start it up.
 
Billyb said:
As of right now, I'm not as worried about this, as I am worried about http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/please-help-21527.html.

Ever since I filled up with premium gas the other day, it hasn't happened. I will keep everybody posted on that front though.

I don't think that my car not starting the first time is that big of a deal, especially if it is a typical 3800 habit.
Click to expand...

Your problems could be related, and plotting against you.:th_jester: Lol
I don’t know. But seriously you car not starting on the first try sounds like you have a bad fuel pressure regulator.
 


Billyb said:
I don't like the sound of that.. lol. How much would something like that cost to replace?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I’m nearly sure the fuel pressure regulator is your problem. If you do the work yourself $40-50, a garage will probably tack on another $50. Good luck:th_thumbsup-wink:
 
no not at all
check your fuel filter, also make sure all your sensors are plugged in my friend has a ford contour and one of his sensors is bad and he has to give it gas to start
 


The fuel pressure regulator is built into the pump on a returnless fuel system. Do what bill boost says and get back to us.
 
I've tried leaving my key on the "on" position for a second before starting the car, and it seemed to make no difference. The other day I filled the car up with 93 octane, and it seemed to start just fine.
 
I think mine is having this issue: I have to turn the key to the ON position for like 2-3 seconds and it starts right up. If I don't do this, it's a struggle for the GP, but she starts. Is it FOR SURE the fuel pressure regulator? If so, where is this located and is it possible to do at home?
 
My wife's 06 was doing this for a few years. I did the lim gaskets a couple weeks ago and ended up have a leaking fuel rail. I changed the fuel rail and used the injectors that came on it but changed the bottom orings. Water pump was bad so I changed that too. She also had a bad battery so got a new one from advanced, old was a duralast that's was 3.5 years old. Didn't have the cleaner for her k&n but knocked most the dirt out.

Car starts like a champ now! I'm pretty sure it was the battery not having enough cranking amps, the advanced auto parts one had around 600, AutoZone had around 500, but also could've been the fuel rail or injector orings.

Fpr in the 05 is part of the fuel pump, I don't think it's your fuel pressure regulator. I feel like people are just tossing that out as possible fuel problem on here lately, and it's an expensive part to install just to test. Check vacuum leaks and do what bill boost said. If you want to throw parts at it start small with injector orings. Then maybe the battery if it's more then a few years old.
 
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I thought it was the battery too at first, changed it with one from advanced (800 CCA). Started great a couple times, but now it's still doing the same thing. I'll try to describe what it's doing: so if starting your car takes 1 whole second, it tries to start for like 1/2 second and then there's a pause or a hesitation and then it resumes starting the car. But the part where it resumes is where is sounds like **** - it starts it most of the time, but just barely. There's not grinding or clicking, just a real rough start, like I had to convince it to start.

My temporary solution was turning the key to ON for a 2-3 seconds and then staring it, but now this isn't working ALL the time either, as it will still do the above situation.

I was starting to think it's the starter shorting out, like possibly engaging then disengaging, and re-engaging to finish staring. Any thoughts?

I'm mostly just praying it's not a fuel pump or any fuel issue in general.
 


I think I'm going to replace the starter. I have an 08 GP na 3.8L. I don't see it at the front of the engine by the headers/across from the A/C compressor. I've watch a ton of videos and it's always at the front of the car and can be easily seen when standing and glancing under the hood.

Did they put the starter in a different location for this model?
 
The 3800 starter isn't really been able to seen from up top. The 5.3 LS4 V8 model has the starter up top.

The starter is under the car on the "front" of the engine, under front exhaust manifold area and tight up against the block.
 
why would you change the starter for a fuel delivery problem?
if the starter turns the engine over, then it's not a starter issue.
 
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