Please Help...(Starting Problems)

[Guest]

I have read all the post about starting problems and found some advice. My car is a 2000 3.8. I have replaced the fuel filter, oil, plugs, wires. My car still wont start about 15% of the time. It cranks but wont turn over. It did it last night and I pulled the fuel pump fuse and tried it again and it did the same thing. I believe its fuel releated then. So I heard If you pump the gas, let it off, and turn the key, then give more gas, it would start, and it did.m Sometimes it will stumble on and die really quick. Other times it will start fine. What does push the gas pedal do? I need to fix the car because I am selling it over the summer. LS1 here I come!

[iNF3RNo]

Pumping the accelerator while the car isn't running in a fuel injected car doesn't do anything. It's eletronically controlled.

I had the same problem with an old 89 Camaro with a 305 TBI motor (though I would just let the car crank until it started, instead of bursts) and 105k miles, when starting cold. But it was a very reoccuring issue. I had the fuel pump regulator replaced for about $50 and it has started right up ever-after... but that's a whole different injection system...

Wish I could help more.

[Javelin3o4]

does it not start after you've drove it and stop and try to start it? I had that problem on one of my cars where i would drive to like the gas station just far enough for it to finally get up to operating temp, turn the car of pump my gas, get back in and it wouldnt start, ended up being me coolant temp sensor.

[Guest]

It is completly random. I really need to fix it because I cant sell the car like it is.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

auto or 5 spd?

[Guest]

It an Auto. I have noticed something else. The gas gauge and oil pres. gauge dont go to rest once car is off. The gas stays at a little over 1/4 and the oil pressure goes near 60. Car has 45,000 miles. Thanks for all the input guys. Hopefully I can get this fixed and sell this beast of a car and get a LS1!

[Guest]

Also, If anyone knows. My dad has a battery tester dropper thing that has 4 balls in it. We tested all the cells in my brothers car and all four aof the balls where floating, in my car all the cells had two floating, two sunk. Anyone know what that means? We dont have the instructions for the tester, but we tried a really old messed battery and none floated so where guessing it test batt. charge? Dad isnt here to tell us what it means. Anyone? (Some of you might have no clue what I am talking about, just ignore, I had never seen one of these things before either).

[Tyler]

its not your battery.. your fuel lines arent holding enough pressure for the startup.

its most likely the fuelpump when it primes the lines when first turned to "on"


when you first go to start your car. turn the key to "on" then "off" then "on". prime the lines at least 2 or 3 times before you start it. if it starts right up. its fuel pump most likely. thats the problem i have.

[Bird_Of_Prey]

I'm thinking fuel pump, could be wrong though. Put a voltmeter on the fuel pump if you can and see if there is a drop.

[Guest]

Okay, where do I attach the meter on the pump sending unit? Also, anyone have a solution or idea about why my gausges are going crazy after turning the car off. I see the gas gauge slowly climbs, the oil stays in the middle.

[JoshMcMadMac]

If you have a local AutoZone, go to them and ask them to pull codes. They do it for free. You might not get anything, but if you do it will help narrow down your problem.

[Guest]

Does O'Reilly do it? I really hate autozone. They are rude, and understaffed. They pulled codes on my Moms car, took around an hour (waiting in line etc.). I have still been seeing my gas gauge being funky without key in the ignition as well as the oil pressure. I think I need to test fuel pressure. Thanks for continued input.

[javifp]

It might be the fuel presure regulator, the symptoms for this are "hard starts" specially when it's cold out side. the car will run it's just that it will crank a while before it runs.
Hope it helps!

[Guest]

Will reading fuel pressure tell me if it is the regulator?

[Ugene96rs]

Originally posted by 2KThunder:
It cranks but wont turn over.

What is that supposed to mean???? If it is cranking, it is turning over! lol

Your description of the problem is very vague. If you could try to be more specific, I have a set of the factory manuals and might be able to help you.

#1 Is the motor cranking or not?

#2 Your gauges are fine. It is normal (especially for the oil pressure) to stay more or less where it was when you kill the car. Turn the ignition back on for a sec ( but don't start the engine) and they will all go down.

#3 The ball dropper thing you are refereeing to is called a "specific gravity tester" or "Hydrometer". It checks the battery electrolyte and tells you more or less if it is charged.
No. balls floating Discharged
One ball floating 25% charge
Two balls floating 50% charge
Three balls floating 75% charge
Four balls floating Full charge

If you only have two balls floating, means your battery is not charged for some reason.
Have O'Reilly check it for you. They will load test it.

A weak battery can make the newer cars like your do some weird stuff!

#4 If the car runs fine after starting, I would not worry about the fuel system just yet.

Good luck and if you want you can drop me an email. [img]graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

[ February 21, 2004, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Ugene96rs ]