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Jon.
Last October I made a copy of my key just in case, my aunt used it and the secury light got on, she turn off the car and turn the key around and started the car with no problems.
Since that my car had some starting problems, I chaged the ignition and the mechanic view for other problems about battery, etc. And was all right!
Suddenly the starting problems came back! About two weeks ago I drove to my work fine, when I got off the car wouldn't start. You can imagine how I felt, after 45 minutes of traying and no other ideas, I put my car in Neutral and started with no problem. I drop my car to the mechanic and they didn't found nothing because the car started with no problems! (I left my car with them almost 5 days and nothing). :S
So last Saturday was happy on my day off and what I got? Yes starting problems again! The first time I replay using the same method on Neutral, I stopped in my second place and had the same problem, and did it again on the third one! So I realize that it was the perfect time to drop it with the mechanic so they can experience the same problem and find out what is wrong with my car, but no success, it's Monday now and they haven't got any starting problems at all.
Any ideas? Help needed!
I have replaced the sprak plugs, and the ignition coils.
Any Ideas?
I checked the fuel pressure - it is fine. I also checked to ensure that the fuel injectors are working correctly. They are.
More History - I could have included a little more history that would have been helpfull. I completely rebuilt the engine (new pistons, rings, bearings, etc. and had the cylinder head machined. When everyting was reassembled, the engine started, but idled really rough, the brake pedal was hard, and the air would only come out of the top vent - no matter the setting. The car ran great on the road.
I did some research and found that I had the Brake Booster vacuum hose in the wrong place. I corrected the vacuum hose problems, and tried again. No change. When the MAP vacuum line was removed from the intake manifold, the engine ran better.
Not finding any other vacuum leaks, I resorted to the intake manifold since I had removed the intake manifold after it was torqued down to get to some wiring. I installed a new intake manifold gasket, and started the car. The engine was hard to start (similar to an the old days of the choke) and had a strong emissions oder. I had a good brake pedal, but once started, the engine ran poorly and would die if left idling, or as soon as it was put into gear.
I changed the spark plugs, no luck.
This had happened once before a little over a year ago. The diagnosis was a bad coil. The coils were replaced and it ran fine for a year.
another 5 to 10 minutes. Mechanics could not find the problem so far. I
am wondering if it could be a sensor? This is an ongoing problem.
Is there an aftermarket security system installed? It could also be the problem.
Also, have you tried to start it in neutral?
Also I had a problem with the dexcool myself. Last summer A gasket blew and my coolant leaked out like someone tipped over a 2 liter. Had it fixed and it leaked again. So I fixed it myself. Tore the engine apart and put in all metal gaskets. Flushed the dexcool out and went back to the old green stuff. Havent had a problem yet. Engine runs good and no leaks. I will never put dexcool back in my car again.
Its not the fuel pump because I replaced that with a brand new one in October of last year, and I'm hearing the fuel pump engage when the car is in the ON position. One more thing: it sometimes shuts completely off while I'm driving, and that's scary! I'm tired of the trial and error fixing with this car. There have been thousands of $$$ spent between the dealership and one-the-side mechanics for the same issues recurring... could someone please help diagnose this problem!!!
if my car sits over night or while im at work it cranks but wont start right up. once it turns over i try starting it a couple times but wont stay running til about the third try. but from then on runs great and i can turn it off and on with no problems. its only when it sits for a while.
does this sound like a fuel pump problem or something else? any answers will help
The fuel pump can be tested for pressure and flow rate to get an idea of it's condition.
Now once a month I oil the key, push it in and out of the switch slowly a couple times. When starting the car, do not jam the key in quickly and turn. Take your time. It seems to be a very sensitive switch, and needs a little TLC to prevent dirt build up. Try it. A little 3 in 1 oil squirt might save you a $500 repair bill. I told my GM dealer mechanic about this solution. He said "Yeah, it might work"
Other Olds Alero have tried this and it really works. Let me know if you try and it solves your starting security problem.
I posted not too long ago about my girlfriends 2003 Grand AM GT Ram Air not starting we had changed the Fuel Pressure Regulator Fuse and Fuel Filter. It all started happening once every 6 months then it became more often. We had checked everything from Fuel Pump, Battery, Alternator and Starter, I had checked at another website about replacing the Entire Ignition Switch and the BCM. I replaced it and it only cost $150.00 for both parts from a donor car in the wreckers and now the issue is gone. I decided to post this because replacing those parts from the wreckers can be cheaper than replacing your Fuel Pump. Goodluck to the ppl having issues with their cars.
Last winter break I had a similar problem where one day my car started and then stalled out. I had my friend take a look and he found that it had something to do with a connector on the fuel line being out of place. He plugged the connector back in and it worked fine until now, almost a year later. I'll be checking that again this weekend, but does anyone have any other advice?
This forum has helped me.