Problem need help ASAP

[Skullcamaro]

For the past week or so I have been having major problems starting my car. I will turn the ignition key and I'll hear it start to crank and then either the engine won't turn over or it does and then the rpm's jump to 2k and then dies quickly. Its weird because it doesn't do it all the time it is at random that it happens. Sometimes it will just start right up like normal then other times it takes 2-4 tries to get it to start. Sometimes I even have to push the accelerator slightly to have it start. It's starting to piss me off. Their doesn't seem to be any charging problem and the battery has a little eye hole that says that its charged. Its kind of a random occurance thing. I don't want to hold the ingnition key to long or else I run the risk of burning out the starter.

I tried some seafoam cleaner and it didn't help at all. I've also tried to reset the computer twice and it helped minimally. Their is also a rough idle while I stop at a red light or have my foot on the brakes. Any other time while the car is running it acts fine and their isn't any problem with accleration or stoping or anything electrical. The only underdrive pulley I'm running is the crank one and I've had it on their for a long time. I plan on taking the car in on tuesday or weds.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I even clean out the intake elbow just in case something was blocking it and check the vacuum lines. Their are no leaks and I even cleaned the belt. Any ideas. Thanks for any help in advance.

Also thier is some smoke sometimes when the engine finally starts. It is at random though.

[ July 14, 2002: Message edited by: Skullcamaro ]</p>

[Skullcamaro]

Anyone please? I definantly need some help on this. Could it be spark plugs, coils, wires, alternator, battery, or the O2 sensors. I've replaced most of this stuff in the past year or two so none of it should be bad.

Please any info would help. Thanks in advance.

I need help fast. The hard starting is at random and thier doesn't seem to be any pattern to it. Please I'm taking the car in on thursday or friday to get checked out by the dealership. I would like to have some idea of what could possibly be wrong.

[ July 16, 2002: Message edited by: Skullcamaro ]</p>

[Only4U]

i would say POSSIBLY it's the alternator. my dad had a similar problem in an astro van years ago and his alternator went out. but i could be wrong--the astro van engines and the 3800s are probably quite different...

[Skullcamaro]

I just recently replaced the alternator for a high amp version about 2 months ago, so I hope it isn't that. Otherwise I'll have to replace it under warranty which usually is a pain in the a**. I was possibly thinking that it had to do with either a clog EGR or PCV or fuel filter or some fuel pressire problem. Any other suggestions and thanks for replying I appreciate your input.

[Only4U]

ya, no prob...well dom says it might be the fuel stuff...so it's probably the fuel stuff ;)

[Bob P.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Skullcamaro:
For the past week or so I have been having major problems starting my car. I will turn the ignition key and I'll hear it start to crank and then either the engine won't turn over or it does and then the rpm's jump to 2k and then dies quickly. Its weird because it doesn't do it all the time it is at random that it happens. Sometimes it will just start right up like normal then other times it takes 2-4 tries to get it to start. Sometimes I even have to push the accelerator slightly to have it start. It's starting to piss me off. Their doesn't seem to be any charging problem and the battery has a little eye hole that says that its charged. Its kind of a random occurance thing. I don't want to hold the ingnition key to long or else I run the risk of burning out the starter.

I tried some seafoam cleaner and it didn't help at all. I've also tried to reset the computer twice and it helped minimally. Their is also a rough idle while I stop at a red light or have my foot on the brakes. Any other time while the car is running it acts fine and their isn't any problem with accleration or stoping or anything electrical. The only underdrive pulley I'm running is the crank one and I've had it on their for a long time. I plan on taking the car in on tuesday or weds.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I even clean out the intake elbow just in case something was blocking it and check the vacuum lines. Their are no leaks and I even cleaned the belt. Any ideas. Thanks for any help in advance.

Also thier is some smoke sometimes when the engine finally starts. It is at random though.

[ July 14, 2002: Message edited by: Skullcamaro ]<hr></blockquote>

I wish I could help, but I don't have a clue. I've seen other posts where that seafoam messes up your plugs, but that's it.

Sorry.

[ July 16, 2002: Message edited by: Bob P. ]</p>

[viper98885]

I know you said you tried SeaFoam, but if your fuel filter needed to be changed, you could have the problems that you are running into now. The fuel filter is cheap, easy to change and a regular maintenance part...I would try that first if I were in your shoes.