2001 Pontiac Grand Am Start up problem

Tiny
CLARKIE28
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
My 2001 grand am 3.4 v6 has trouble starting up especially in the morning after sitting. I hear the fuel pump kicking on and once started it runs like a champ no hesitation or anything. What I have figured out is that when I turn the key to on for a few to five minutes it starts right up but if you just turn the key and try to start without waiting a minute or so it will just turn over but not fire. It will also start up if you use starting fluid. Im thinking it is the fuel pump but if the fuel filter needs changed would that cause it longer to get fuel to the engine to start and thats why when I turn key on for a minute it starts up fine?
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 AT 7:33 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
The fuel filter can make fuel pressure low at start up I would like to know what the pressure is if you have access to a fuel pressure tester connect it to fuel rail and turn key to on position at see what the pressure is and then I can go from there to help you fix you car
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
CLARKIE28
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I would have to take it to a garage and get the fuel pressure checked but for the last week it has been starting up the first time every morning as long as I turn the key to on and let it sit like that for a few minutes. I bought a fuel filter but the space is so small that I couldnt get the nut to break loose and it was hard to get a wrench in there. Plus I am not the best with cars I try to do what I can but I was just hoping that changing the filter would solve the problem cause I dont have the money to get a pump and labor to put it in. Thanks for your reply.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
You can go to autozone and use a pressure tester from there loan a tool program and I can talk you through the testing and any other repairs that may need to be done to save you the shop cost it could be cloged filter, cloged injectors, poor spark but it sounds more like the filter or injectors
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 2:23 PM

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