Starts then nearly dies?

**hammerline81** · 05-14-2013

Hey there, I'm just wondering what the issue is with these generation 3 engines? I would think it was only my car but I have a sister that has the same year (2004) Grand Prix, just minus the supercharger I have and both suck at starting. You'll start the car and she'll idle down to an unhealthy RPM then kick back up. It seems like it gets a shot of fuel at first then chokes off for a bit? It's not a huge issue I just wanna know if maybe there's some hidden filters that need changing or a cat that should be ripped out? Any suggestions or inputs? Thanks!

**02NavyBlue** · 05-14-2013

I test drove 3 04+ Grand Prix's before settling on my 02, and all of the 04+ grand prix's studdered a bit when starting, and on two of them you had to give it a little gas to keep them going when starting. After they got running it was fine.
I always suggest cleaning the throttle body and cleaning the MAF sensor (each have their own specific cleaner) at the same time and seeing if that fixes the issue. If not, tuneup items should be looked over/replaced.

**rperry435** · 05-14-2013

Dirty throttle body. Seen dozens.

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**dsmuts** · 05-14-2013

Yep it's 99% of the time the tb.

**hammerline81** · 05-15-2013

Yeah, I should have done that when I did my LIM job last Sunday. I was checking it over and it's dirty. Can I use carb cleaner on that? Or is there other recommended cleaners to use?

**Explicit_Spade** · 05-15-2013

Give this a read
http://www.popularmechanics.com/_mob...repair/1272341

**02NavyBlue** · 05-15-2013

Originally Posted by hammerline81

Yeah, I should have done that when I did my LIM job last Sunday. I was checking it over and it's dirty. Can I use carb cleaner on that? Or is there other recommended cleaners to use?

You can usually use carb cleaner. Some throttle bodies have a certain coating that will be ruined by it. But they usually have a warning sticker on top of them.

**hammerline81** · 05-15-2013

Yeah, I'll just buy a tooth brush and carb cleaner and ill go to town on it. See if she's good. I'll change the fuel filter too, I'm sure that'll have to be done.

**02NavyBlue** · 05-16-2013

I'm not sure of the series III setup, but on the series II, the MAF sensor is in the throttle body, and you cannot get any carb cleaner on the MAF. So make sure it's removed from the throttle body before cleaning the throttle, if it's set up that way.

**BillBoost37** · 05-16-2013

Originally Posted by 02NavyBlue

I'm not sure of the series III setup, but on the series II, the MAF sensor is in the throttle body, and you cannot get any carb cleaner on the MAF. So make sure it's removed from the throttle body before cleaning the throttle, if it's set up that way.

I'm not sure what you were thinking, but I am pretty sure you got II and III confused.

II maf in TB
III maf right next to airbox.