Thread: Starts then dies, sometimes sluggish at lower RPMs

I have a problem with my 2005 Grand Prix 3800 engine. When i start it, the RPMs slowly go down and the engine kills. When I start it again, the RPMs go low everything in the car dims (lights inside car) then the RPMs go up and the lights get brighter. Then the car runs fine. On occassion when the car starts and runs, at lower RPMs ( i would say thru 1st gear) the car seems to hesistate but once you get going its fine. The car has never stalled on me once it was running say at a stop light or anything.
I've read alot of posts which point to many different areas such as IAC module, ICM, fuel pump, fuel pump resistor, MAF Sensor.
Does anyone have an idea of exactly what can be wrong here?

I started the car fine this morning and drove it 20 miles to work without problem. I haven't noticed the issue happening more when the car is warm or cold. Its very random. And like i stated above if the problem happens, I can shut the car off and turn it on again and the problem goes away. Another note, no engine codes when I scan it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

im having the same problem with my 01 grand prix, and i put in some fuel system cleaner hoping it will help. heard some sucking from the vacuum lines, so that may be it.

it has trouble starting, but no problems after you get it going

Where is the IAC valve located? i know where the throttle body is. Also what do you use to clean the throttle body with?

Thanks

Originally Posted by tkozbiel

what do you use to clean the throttle body with?

Its been 1 week since I've cleaned out the throttle body and no problems so far. I couldn't believe how dirty the throttle body was. The car seems to run much smoother and no engine dying after startup. Thanks for the suggestion!

thats how my car started out then it began to stall and/or not start then it will run good for a few days then stall again. replacing cps today hopefully, i am going to try cleaning the throttle body (again) too

Its been a few weeks and the car still hasn't killed after starting or stalled (knocking on wood really hard right now)

I have an o2 4oth anniv and it had similar problems at start up. The difference being after being on the road for awhile, it idles too high. I bought a can of mass air flow sensor cleaner and cleand maf. This did help some but problem still there. I replaced fuel filter really just because it needed it. Problem still there. I replaced IAC. Problem gone and never returnded...

I cleaned my tb with carb/brake cleaner and a tooth brush and cleaned the end of my upper intake manifold with a rag and the carb cleaner.....what a difference, mine used to do the start/instantly stall thing...the tb was disgusting too

Originally Posted by kellywms

I have an o2 4oth anniv and it had similar problems at start up. The difference being after being on the road for awhile, it idles too high. I bought a can of mass air flow sensor cleaner and cleand maf. This did help some but problem still there. I replaced fuel filter really just because it needed it. Problem still there. I replaced IAC. Problem gone and never returnded...

Is the IAC expensive? Where is it located? Just in case the problem comes back.

i would like to know this too. i am having the same problems.