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1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems


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Guest
Anonymous Poster
ctrad45@comcast.net

Sep 3, 2006, 11:07 AM

Post #1 of 16 (5343 views)
post icon 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Hey all,
I have a 1999 Grand Prix and recently it really has been having a rough time with starting up.It turns over and eventually starts but it really has a hard time.If I leave it over night and go to start it in the morning it turns over a few times and starts.However if I go into a store or diner and come out an hour later it really has a hard time.Once it starts it runs absolutely fine.Any one with ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Unsure


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 3, 2006, 11:30 AM

Post #2 of 16 (5340 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Dang I'm still guessing. It could be the engine is tight from heat or a weak starter. A voltage drop test would help while starting it.

Does a jump snap it out of this? T



Guest
Anonymous Poster

Sep 3, 2006, 11:48 AM

Post #3 of 16 (5335 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

No,jumps don't help.The engine turns over strong and quick but it just has a hard time catching.Some one mentioned a "fuel pump resistor" but I can't seem to find any info on it.Unsure


ctrad45
User

Sep 3, 2006, 11:53 AM

Post #4 of 16 (5334 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

This is me,just signed up.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 3, 2006, 2:03 PM

Post #5 of 16 (5331 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

See if you can hear the fuel pump buzz and shut off with just turning the key to run without starting. Hard to hear this on a busy street. If so have a helper turn the key while you listen by the gas tank. If it just stays on there is a pressure problem and a pressure test would be next.

If that checks out you will need to check for spark which has to be caught in the act or it will check out fine, T



ctrad45
User

Sep 4, 2006, 2:22 PM

Post #6 of 16 (5326 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Alright,turned the key and heard the buzz and then the buzz stopped.Still having a rough time starting.Turning over fine but not starting.Would a spark plug change fix this?Sorry,kind of a novice at this and have gotten a lot of "car guy"advice from peoplewho maybe don't know.Crazy


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 4, 2006, 4:02 PM

Post #7 of 16 (5323 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Nothing wrong with new plugs but I don't think that's it. What has me confused is why this doesn't like a one hour shut down. The engine itself is actually warmer for a while 5-10 minutes when you shut off and then starts to just cool down. At an hour it's still warm but not hot or fully warmed up.

Some thoughts/ideas:

Can you get a free code reading from one of those chain parts stores?

Is this a 4 or 6 engine? Plugs can be nasty to replace.

Does the temp gauge stay steady once running?

How many miles on this car?

Still trying to think of what is most likely without just thowing parts out all over the place, T



ctrad45
User

Sep 4, 2006, 4:06 PM

Post #8 of 16 (5322 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

6 cylinder Supercharged.108,000 miles.If I shut it off and start it up real quick it fires right up.We took it to Ford Field on a Friday night and it ran fine.Went to start it next morning and it started doing this.The temp gauge is right where it should be and I have driven it for 2 hours straight and no over heat.Very frustrating.Pirate


ctrad45
User

Sep 5, 2006, 3:16 PM

Post #9 of 16 (5314 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

*bump*


ctrad45
User

Sep 6, 2006, 10:55 AM

Post #10 of 16 (5308 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Okay.New symptom.Now when I leave it for an hour or two and go to start it up I have to give it a little gas to get it to start.I't almost like it's weak,like it's not getting enough spark or gas.Any guesses?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 6, 2006, 12:31 PM

Post #11 of 16 (5306 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

You shouldn't have to touch the gas pedal if that's what you meant to start a fuel injected car. They do NOT pump gas in like a carbed car used to.

Without a code and if you want to start trying stuff:

Start with the cheaper stuff like a coolant temp switch which should be near the thermostat and there may be two -- one for your gauge and one for the computer to make adjustments.

It's obviously a temp and time sensitive problem so you could start there. A TPS might be a another and the idle speed motor less likely but possible. I don't know of these last two guesses to be temp sensitive but this car has a problem and then runs well so it is just guessing for me right now. Keep at it, T



ctrad45
User

Sep 6, 2006, 12:34 PM

Post #12 of 16 (5305 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Thanks,I'll try those.


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Sep 6, 2006, 1:31 PM

Post #13 of 16 (5302 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

I’ve had this same complaint now from a few of my customers. All of these cars have been the 3.8Lt engines and roughly the same year as yours.
The fuel pressure regulator had become plugged with rust or corrosion. With the regulator being plugged the fuel pressure went through the roof. During the cold starts it wasn’t a problem because the engine likes a little extra fuel when it’s cold. But just like your complaint, starting the car only after an hour or so the thing would crank and crank and then fire up; just a little on the flooded side but would clear right up and seem to run “normally”.
When I removed the regulator from the fuel rail there was quite a bit of rust inside the rail, to the point I had to replace the rail along with the regulator because I couldn’t clean it out. This has cured a couple of these cars but not all. I’ve also had to decarbonize a few as well. With these I think what was happening is that a carbon build up on the back of the intake valves was acting like a sponge and soaking up the fuel on a warm restart. Once the carbon became saturated; the fuel would flow pass the carbon into the cylinders.
These are just guesses in reguards to your car but a fuel pressure gauge connected to the rail will tell you whether you have the proper regulated pressure and it never hurts to decarbonize, even if it doesn’t cure the problem.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"






ctrad45
User

Sep 6, 2006, 1:35 PM

Post #14 of 16 (5300 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Thanx man,I'll try that too.This forum has been wonderful.Smile


Guest
Anonymous Poster

Sep 15, 2006, 3:55 PM

Post #15 of 16 (5278 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

Thanks to everyone who contributed to helping my GTP to get back on its feet.The problem was finally diagnosed(with the help of Tom and the rest of you)as the fuel pump module.It had gotten to the point almost terminal failure.Once we changed it,the fuel filter and decarbonized it's up and running and most importantly starting strong.I am so glad I found this forum and it's now a fave of mine.Again,thanks and nothing but the best to all of you and yours.


Cris


mindspray
Anonymous Poster
mindspraymusic@gmail.com

Sep 3, 2009, 6:08 AM

Post #16 of 16 (4909 views)
Re: 1999 Grand Prix GTP Startup Problems Sign In

this nforum is very helpfull i have decided to change the pump module after many dollars spent tryin to fix the problem i searched the net for answers these are the exact same symptoms maf$100 cts 30$ flf $290 t stat 150 i love my car but a nuff is a nuff hope it works






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