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Ive got a '98 camaro with 45K miles on it. About a week ago in the morning when I got in it to start it up I had to hold the key down for like 15 secs before the engine finally started. It never happened again until yesterday. All day yesterday (about 5 times)it happened everytime I tried to start it up. So far it has always eventually started up. Then this morning it started up just fine so I thought it was gone again, but then later when I was leaving work it did the same thing, prob took the longest time today to start up, maybe around a minute. My battery and alternator are fine I just had those replaced, and also had them tested yesteday at auto zone just in case. My car doesn't die on me when driving, and I think my starter sounds fine. Could it just be that the fuel filter is really clogged up? I do hear my fuel pump come on when I turn the key, but I don't know if that tells you if the fuel pump is dead or not. Any help is appreciated.
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1998 Arctic White Camaro<br />3.8L V6 M5<br />Flowmaster 80 Series with 3\" tips<br />Whisper Lid w/ K&N<br />Flowtech Cutout<br />Free-Ram Air Mod<br />Blue Underbody Neon Kit<br />3 MTX 6000 10\" Subs<br />Rockford 800a2 Amp<br /><a href=\"http://photos.yahoo.com/jeep327\" target=\"_blank\">My Camaro</a> -
next time it doesnt start, leave the key in the ON position, and push the clutch in a few times, and make sure its all the way to the floor.
you may have a bad Neutral safety switch.
if the clutch thing works, post back, and ill show you how to bypass it. -
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ian:
next time it doesnt start, leave the key in the ON position, and push the clutch in a few times, and make sure its all the way to the floor.
you may have a bad Neutral safety switch.
if the clutch thing works, post back, and ill show you how to bypass it.<hr></blockquote>
Well if I dont hold the clutch and just try to start it, it wont get as far as if I held the clutch down. I can hear the car trying to start, but the engine doesn't crank.1998 Arctic White Camaro<br />3.8L V6 M5<br />Flowmaster 80 Series with 3\" tips<br />Whisper Lid w/ K&N<br />Flowtech Cutout<br />Free-Ram Air Mod<br />Blue Underbody Neon Kit<br />3 MTX 6000 10\" Subs<br />Rockford 800a2 Amp<br /><a href=\"http://photos.yahoo.com/jeep327\" target=\"_blank\">My Camaro</a>Comment
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My ex-coworker had the same problem with his LT1. He changed his fuel pump because of it and that still wasn't it. He mentioned a relay or something that solved it.1999 Pewter Camaro M5<br />Y87 Performance Package, Sport Appearance Package, Diamond Clears<br />Factory SS Hood, Free Ram Air Mod, Whisper Lid w/ K&N Air Filter<br />CarSound Cat 94009, B&B Tri-Flo w/ Quad Tips<br />BMR SFC, BMR STB, KVR Blank Rotors, Hawk HPS Pads<br />Black Painted Calipers w/ CAMARO Decal, 245/50 Dunlop SP Sport 5000<br />20% Rear 35% Side Tint, Red Reflective Inlays, Invincishield<br /><b>Young girls avert their eyes, weak men tremble, Ford dealers faint.</b>Comment
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<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by F1GT:
My ex-coworker had the same problem with his LT1. He changed his fuel pump because of it and that still wasn't it. He mentioned a relay or something that solved it.<hr></blockquote>
Well thats kinda good news...I really really hope its not my fuel pump. I plan to change my fuel filter tomorrow and pray that does the trick....but I dont know.1998 Arctic White Camaro<br />3.8L V6 M5<br />Flowmaster 80 Series with 3\" tips<br />Whisper Lid w/ K&N<br />Flowtech Cutout<br />Free-Ram Air Mod<br />Blue Underbody Neon Kit<br />3 MTX 6000 10\" Subs<br />Rockford 800a2 Amp<br /><a href=\"http://photos.yahoo.com/jeep327\" target=\"_blank\">My Camaro</a>Comment
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i have the same problem w/my 98 just not as bad as you, i normally have to crank it for about 5-10 seconds and when it finally starts it misses and blubbers a little then finally starts running smooth, all ive been told is fuel filter and plugs...my fuel filter has around 5000-7000 miles on it and i dont buy cheap gas so i dont think thats the problem, my car has 57k on it...<b>Black</b> 1998 Pontiac <i>Firebird</i> A-4 swap<br />271.4rwhp/259.4rwtq NA<br />13.30@102.44 <br /><a href=\"http://www.freewebs.com/wickedsix98\" target=\"_blank\">www.freewebs.com/wickedsix98</a>Comment
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<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by WickEdSix9838:
i have the same problem w/my 98 just not as bad as you, i normally have to crank it for about 5-10 seconds and when it finally starts it misses and blubbers a little then finally starts running smooth, all ive been told is fuel filter and plugs...my fuel filter has around 5000-7000 miles on it and i dont buy cheap gas so i dont think thats the problem, my car has 57k on it...<hr></blockquote>
Well I'm the second owner of my car (got it when it had 28Kmiles on it) but I am assuming its on the stock fuel filter. I dont use premium gas, I use normal. But I'm not so sure its fuel filter/pump anymore b/c when my car finally starts up everything is normal. It never dies on me, accelerates just fine, and idles normal. Its just getting the engine to start that is the problem. I dont get it.1998 Arctic White Camaro<br />3.8L V6 M5<br />Flowmaster 80 Series with 3\" tips<br />Whisper Lid w/ K&N<br />Flowtech Cutout<br />Free-Ram Air Mod<br />Blue Underbody Neon Kit<br />3 MTX 6000 10\" Subs<br />Rockford 800a2 Amp<br /><a href=\"http://photos.yahoo.com/jeep327\" target=\"_blank\">My Camaro</a>Comment
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I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ,MY 98 CAMARO (3.8)WOULD TAKE UP TO 20 SEC. TO START.WHEN IT DID IT START IT RAN ROUGH FOR 30 SEC. OR SO. CHANGED THE FUEL PRESSURE REG. & IT STARTED & RAN LIKE NEW! TAKE OFF THE VACCUUM HOSE ON THE F.P. REG & IF GAS IS PRESENT REPLACE IT. IT'S ASIMPLE CHECK & THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON TO THE 3.8...geocorComment
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P.S. I'M ASSUMING YOUR STARTER IS CRANKING YOUR ENGINE!!!!!geocorComment
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<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> Well I'm the second owner of my car (got it when it had 28Kmiles on it) but I am assuming its on the stock fuel filter. I dont use premium gas, I use normal. But I'm not so sure its fuel filter/pump anymore b/c when my car finally starts up everything is normal. It never dies on me, accelerates just fine, and idles normal. Its just getting the engine to start that is the problem. I dont get it.
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thats how mine is...once i get it started adn it gets past the rough BS it runs fine, and just as quick as normal at the track...ill check that out geocor, thanks for the suggestion!<b>Black</b> 1998 Pontiac <i>Firebird</i> A-4 swap<br />271.4rwhp/259.4rwtq NA<br />13.30@102.44 <br /><a href=\"http://www.freewebs.com/wickedsix98\" target=\"_blank\">www.freewebs.com/wickedsix98</a>Comment
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It sounds like a fuel related problem.
It is possible that when the car sits the fuel pressure drops too low. I beleive it is suppose to keep like 35-40 psi in th lines, with the car off. It is possible you have a leaky gasket somewhere in the fuel delivery system, either in the Pressure regulator or the pump.
I would hook up a fuel pressure guage after the regulator turn the car off, and let it sit for like 15 minutes and see if you lose alot of pressure.
A good tip is to keep the key on the ON position for a couple seconds before you start the car. That way you are kinda priming the system, and giving it a chance to build up pressure.
If you wanted to fix the regulator yourself, it is ontop of the engine and fairly simple to get to.
BTW According to my parts manual, a new presure regulator and seal kit for it only cost about 30 bucks at Gmpartsdirect.com
PN # 17112556 Pressure regulator (98L36)
pn# 17113544 Seal kit. (98L36)
You might want to call and confirm that it is the right part, because they sound kinda cheap.
[ January 16, 2004: Message edited by: PewterBird ]</p>Comment
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<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PewterBird:
It sounds like a fuel related problem.
It is possible that when the car sits the fuel pressure drops too low. I beleive it is suppose to keep like 35-40 psi in th lines, with the car off. It is possible you have a leaky gasket somewhere in the fuel delivery system, either in the Pressure regulator or the pump.
I would hook up a fuel pressure guage after the regulator turn the car off, and let it sit for like 15 minutes and see if you lose alot of pressure.
A good tip is to keep the key on the ON position for a couple seconds before you start the car. That way you are kinda priming the system, and giving it a chance to build up pressure.
[ January 16, 2004: Message edited by: PewterBird ]<hr></blockquote>
See I was thinking it was this, but I had already did what you said to prime the system before trying to start it up and it never helped. Also I think if it was something fuel related, wouldn't my car die on me randomly while driving?
Instead of trying to play this guessing game, hopefully I can get my car looked at and finally get to the bottom of this. Thanks for the suggestions so far, but if anyone has anymore please keep them comming.1998 Arctic White Camaro<br />3.8L V6 M5<br />Flowmaster 80 Series with 3\" tips<br />Whisper Lid w/ K&N<br />Flowtech Cutout<br />Free-Ram Air Mod<br />Blue Underbody Neon Kit<br />3 MTX 6000 10\" Subs<br />Rockford 800a2 Amp<br /><a href=\"http://photos.yahoo.com/jeep327\" target=\"_blank\">My Camaro</a>Comment
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<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Camaro3.8L:
See I was thinking it was this, but I had already did what you said to prime the system before trying to start it up and it never helped. Also I think if it was something fuel related, wouldn't my car die on me randomly while driving?
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Not always, because when the car is on the pump is on, you will always have pressure in the lines. When the pump is off, and there is a leaky gasket allowing the fuel to flow backwards your gonna lose pressure and its gonna take a while to get the pressure back up.
In any case, take it to a mechanic to look at it. Or hook up your own Fuel pressure gauge in order to rule out the fuel system.Comment
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<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PewterBird:
Not always, because when the car is on the pump is on, you will always have pressure in the lines. When the pump is off, and there is a leaky gasket allowing the fuel to flow backwards your gonna lose pressure and its gonna take a while to get the pressure back up.
In any case, take it to a mechanic to look at it. Or hook up your own Fuel pressure gauge in order to rule out the fuel system.<hr></blockquote>
Cool, thanks. I'll def have them test the fuel pressure then.1998 Arctic White Camaro<br />3.8L V6 M5<br />Flowmaster 80 Series with 3\" tips<br />Whisper Lid w/ K&N<br />Flowtech Cutout<br />Free-Ram Air Mod<br />Blue Underbody Neon Kit<br />3 MTX 6000 10\" Subs<br />Rockford 800a2 Amp<br /><a href=\"http://photos.yahoo.com/jeep327\" target=\"_blank\">My Camaro</a>Comment
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I have this problem with my 3.4L, not 15 seconds, but around 5 or little more sometimes. Possibly the same problem? I changed my plug wires and plugs 5k miles ago.. it sounds like it is having problems, but after it starts it seems to run fine. Occasionally getting rough idle and running high rpms for idle when it first starts. Any help?<a href=\"http://home.comcast.net/~beer13oy/carpage.html\" target=\"_blank\"><b>1995 3.4 Liter M5 Camaro</b></a><br />A few mods...<br />still slow.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.mnfbody.com\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota F-body</a>Comment
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So my truck is finally getting some work done, after 17 years, Oil pressure sensor went out and it’s located under the lower intake manifold. Have to...2 weeks ago
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