Hard starting issues..3.8

[TCA217]

Hello Board, In the last 2 days my 97 3.8 5 speed Camaro is getting harder to start. It use to start at the hit of the key then yesterday it took about 6 or 7 rpm's before starting then tonight it took almost 20 rpm's before starting. I pulled the codes and got P 1441-EVAP control system flow during non purge. HUH? and I got P0121-TPS switch circuit range performance problem, again HUH? Can anyone help me understand what these mean in laymans terms? What do I need to do to fix or repair the problem. If it keeps going this way I am afraid it won't start soon. By the way after it starts it runs great. Thanks again in advance,..............TIM

[thebeewantsboost]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

My bet guess would be your loosing fuel pressure. Don't know what u men by it tok or 6 or 7 rpms. The motor rotated 6 times before starting? Get a fuel pressure gauge and see if it builds and holds pressure when u turn the key to on

[bigbrian442]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

Sounds like your TPS may be going bad.

[ssms5411]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

I would go by the code you got an do the TPS sensor like already said.

[thebeewantsboost]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

will a tps cause a no start? i can start mine with my foot to the floor. i know on some s10's it will disable starting. but didn't think that was the case with our cars.

[2.8 Bird]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

If you got a code I would definately start with that. BUT>>> I have a funny feeling that this maybe related to your Fuel Pressure Regulator.

[TCA217]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

Thanks for all the output and info. I really appreciate it. Whats relly weird is today after I put $20.00 of gas in it, it started to run and start like it use to. I am thinking that maybe I had some Bad gas. Will find out soon as I go through about a tank a week. Thanks again,..................TIM

[2.8 Bird]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

Thanks for all the output and info. I really appreciate it. Whats relly weird is today after I put $20.00 of gas in it, it started to run and start like it use to. I am thinking that maybe I had some Bad gas. Will find out soon as I go through about a tank a week. Thanks again,..................TIM

Huh?

Well drop some Lucas Gas Treatment in it. You might have gotten a bad or dirty gas. Or if you haven't used your car for like a month or 2.

Sometimes when those gas trucks come around and they refill those gas stations they then to stir up the accumulated dirt from the bottom and it can remain suspended for some time.

[supercharged 024]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

If you see the fuel truck filling the tanks keep driving and come back later. It's not so much the dirt that they are stirring up as it is the condensation(water) that is suspended as they are filling the tanks and you end up with a heaping helping of water.

[TCA217]

Re: Hard starting issues..3.8

Hello Board,
I posted a question here about 2 months ago about my 97 Camaro and the hard starting issues it was having. A bit of an update and another question or two.
Since my last post, I went with the popular opinion here and followed the codes. Went to the local "pull your part" junk yard and got 2 TPS's and 2 MAF sensors. Went home, installed them, cleaned out the throttle body and butterfly, cleaned the air filter and even changed out the fuel filter, (which was semi plugged, hard to blow through) and crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. .... Exactly the same, no better or no worse. I cleared the codes before I did these changes and have been driving it everyday for the better part of 1 month and it has no codes but is still acting the same. What I have noticed is that sometimes when it is at operating temp, and I shut it off for less that 5 or 10 minutes to get gas or food or something, it will start perfectly. Other times it will take a couple of tries to get it to start. Long story short, could the fuel pump be getting worn out or weak? I don't have a fuel pressure tester but might have to get one. The car has 123,000 miles on it. Thanks for all the help in advance, this board kicks butt !! Tim