Thread: Starting issues

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

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.

As of right now, I'm not as worried about this, as I am worried about http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/p...elp-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.

I don't like the sound of that.. lol. How much would something like that cost to replace?

Do you guys think that this could be linked with my other problem?

http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/p...elp-21527.html

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

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?

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?