Thread: Car never starts on first try but always on second try.

I just bought my 01 Gtp about a month ago. Its got about 67,000 miles on it. It was problem free for about a week and a half. Now when i go to do a cold start it takes two cranks to get it started. The first try I turn the key for about 3 seconds and let go. Then the second try it starts right up. It always starts on the second try. The driving performance hasn't suffered at all. Only the starting. If i do a warm start the car always starts on the first try. Belle tire told me that it needed a new fuel pump and fuel filter for about $900. What confuses me is that if it was a bad fuel pump wouldn't the performance be really bad and wouldn't it be a lot harder to start. I've been driving the car daily like this for about three weeks. Do i need to replace the entire fuel pump or would something like this fix the problem? Fuel Pump Resistor - 97-03 Grand Prix - PFYC

u should probably do a full tuneup on the car if u just bought it...who knows if the previous owner did...other than that try the fuel filter first...ur gonna want to soak it in some PB blaster...apply it once a day for a few days cuz the filters can be a pain sometimes to get off...

Sounds like the same problem I had. Was told by previous owner that the fuel pump check valve was bad. Could not find just that part, so I replaced the entire fuel pump. Fixed the problem!

how long do you have the key in the run posistion for before you crank it?

Full tune up is the best way to go. Try some seafoam too.

About how much does a tuneup run? What do they do? When i had my Explorer the dealer always looked at me like i was an idiot when i asked if i needed one. They also told me that there was no way they or I could clean my MAF sensor and that it would have to be replaced. As far as the seafoam goes im not too sure i want to do that on this car. I did it on my last car and the catalytic converter got really clogged up and went out. I'm not sure if that was the cause. My battery is good i had that checked out. Im going to have to try to start it like dna said, i just drove home so im going to have to wait a little while.

When i went outside i tried turning the key to on without starting waiting a sec then doing it again then cranking it all the way and it started up on the first try. But it might of started right up because the car had only been sitting for a few hours so im going to have to try that again in the morning. But if that really does work for me in the morning what does that mean?

Means you might need a new pump, its PSI isnt as great as it should be and its not priming the fuel lines.

try and find a fuel pressure gauge from a friend...autozone etc etc...u should have at least 48 to 55 psi of fuel pressure

and a tune up varies...are u gonna do it urself or take it somewhere and have it done...there are alotta variables...cheap plugs,expensive plugs,cheap wires,high dollar wires etc etc...air filters.the list goes on and on