Thread: Problem starting my 2000 Grand Prix

I have a problem starting 2000 Grand Prix with the 3.8L (K) Engines. Drove it in the garage and the next day it would not start. It turns periodically while trying to start one or so cylinders will fire but will not start. There are no codes, code reader states good to go. While working on the car I added new wires and plugs. The fuel gage was at an 1/8 of a tank, the fuel pump did not run until I replaced the vapor canister purge valve. Now have fuel pressure up to the injectors. Also added 6 gallons of gas just in case the fuel lever is incorrect. Spark check looks good. Kept the car with heater overnight just incase the fuel line was froze. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Have you checked all the fuses? Might have popped one. If you say you have spark and fuel, then it "should" run. Also, check to make sure all your electrical connections are tight. Especially since you just did work on it and now it won't run. Check around the areas that you did work and see if you knocked anything loose.

Thanks for the replys. The battery is fully charged, the engine turns over very easily. I changed the wires only after the engine did not run, and I replaced the wires one wire at a time. No loose connections. When I try starting the car, at first it turns a couple revs and then I can here one or two cylinders fire, but does not start. After that it just turns with no additional cylinders firing. I checked the fuel pressure by the injectors, when I turn on the key I can hear the fuel pump run, the pressure reading got up to 50psi, however my pressure tester does not have a good seal at the test point. After a few seconds with the key on the fuel pump turns off and the pressure drops to zero. I checked all the fuel line fuses. IF I am getting a spark on one of the cylinders I didn't think to look at any other fuses. My thought is I may need to replace either the crank shaft sensor & or the cam sensor, however I am supprized no codes are being registered.

since you suggested that you placed a heater to keep everything from freezing up, i suspect you're in a colder environment.
Sounds alot to me like water in the fuel lines, which is especially common if you're a winter driver that's in and out of a heated garage, or if you keep a tank below 1/4 in the winter. Condensation will occur very easily if you do either of these, so try some gas line antifreeze with water remover in it. You can find it at almost any parts store that stocks winter items.
If you continue to pull in and out of a heated garage after, it would be ideal to use gas line antifreeze with every tank.
Give that a try, hope it helps!

Originally Posted by HNorm

Thanks for the replys. The battery is fully charged, the engine turns over very easily. I changed the wires only after the engine did not run, and I replaced the wires one wire at a time. No loose connections. When I try starting the car, at first it turns a couple revs and then I can here one or two cylinders fire, but does not start. After that it just turns with no additional cylinders firing. I checked the fuel pressure by the injectors, when I turn on the key I can hear the fuel pump run, the pressure reading got up to 50psi, however my pressure tester does not have a good seal at the test point. After a few seconds with the key on the fuel pump turns off and the pressure drops to zero. I checked all the fuel line fuses. IF I am getting a spark on one of the cylinders I didn't think to look at any other fuses. My thought is I may need to replace either the crank shaft sensor & or the cam sensor, however I am supprized no codes are being registered.

just changed my crank shaft sensor runs great now ,try it i just changed all kind of stuff and it was that all along !