Starter or Ignition Box?!

JCHT79 · 11-19-2003, 07:13 AM

Recently I've been having some problems with my car starting cleanly. Somedays my car starts on the 1st turn of the key in the ignition, but at som point in the day I may have to try this two or three times. It doesn't mater if it is cold or warm outside...What could be the problem here, not enough spark?

11-19-2003, 07:36 AM

It is a known "problem" with the 3400 (that's what I assume you have). No one has ever really figured out what causes it, but I think most people with the 3400 have it. There is a thread somewhere on the old board that talks about it. I will try and find it for ya.

11-19-2003, 08:25 AM

Mine usually starts on the first crank, but it's always a long crank. Last time I took it in they replaced the coils and all the spark wires, and it's still the same.

11-19-2003, 09:26 AM

Some think it is the fuel pump. If you start it while it's warm, you can try to turn the key to the "on" position for a couple of seconds before you actually start it. That primes the fuel pump.

11-19-2003, 09:32 AM

i have a 3400 and mine does the same thing, sometimes she starts the second i flip the key or sometimes it takes a second or so. My roommate works for GM and said the same thing 3.4 just said, to turn the key to on to prime the fuel pump then start it...hope this helps....theres no real problem with the ignition, just the way our cars are.

Pellinore · 11-19-2003, 09:47 AM

Same here, GM actually replaced the fuel pump on my car, but its still does the same thing. I guess we have to live with it.

johny_boy32 · 11-19-2003, 10:46 AM

mine does the same thing that you guys talk about but i have the 2.4. Always starts on the first crank but its always long...sometimes i even have to step on the gas.

11-19-2003, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pellinore@Nov 19 2003, 02:47 PM
Same here, GM actually replaced the fuel pump on my car, but its still does the same thing. I guess we have to live with it.

are you having a hard start issue when your car is warm/ after you've driven it for a little while?

Naich · 11-20-2003, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 99blackalero@Nov 19 2003, 09:32 AM
i have a 3400 and mine does the same thing, sometimes she starts the second i flip the key or sometimes it takes a second or so. My roommate works for GM and said the same thing 3.4 just said, to turn the key to on to prime the fuel pump then start it...hope this helps....theres no real problem with the ignition, just the way our cars are.

Yes, this is what I've heard as well, and it seems to work 99% of the time.

r53silver91s · 11-20-2003, 11:06 AM

^^^That is how I start my car every time, cause I was having the same problem, and like Naich said it works almost everytime.

11-20-2003, 11:21 AM

I have been noticing that w/my car as well. It's only after the engine is warmed up. Then I started a Diesel habit--I just leave it in the on position for about 5-10 seconds and start it up. Haven't had any problems starting it that way.

Sorry, had to edit this c/I didn't read all but a couple posts...HAHA, kaduh!

11-20-2003, 12:25 PM

/\ /\ Haha. Never thought of that. Maybe Alero's have a glow plug that GM forgot to tell us about.

JCHT79 · 11-20-2003, 11:19 PM

Yeah, I have to let the car sit in the on position for few seconds...Sometimes this doesn't work and I just have to crank it hard! otherwise this isn't the biggest problem I've had with my car....Look to old posts!!!

My car has 100,200 miles on the tranny and about 14k miles on the engine it self...I had a new engine put in last year due to massive water damage after driving in a big A!? puddle

11-24-2003, 01:59 AM

sorry to get a little off topic - jcht79 - do you have a cai?

JCHT79 · 11-24-2003, 08:49 AM

No I don't....

11-26-2003, 04:53 AM

Ok here's whats goin on. WHen you go to start your car, leave the key in the on position for about 3 seconds. If you listen carefully you'll here a faint whirring sound the second you put the key in the on positon, this is the fuel pump purging itself, and getting adequate pressure to the mototr to start it. If you just hop in and crank it over, the fuel pump does'nt have a chance to build up pressure and it has to work harder, do this enough times and it'll start to give out giving you longer and longer crank times. I wait for the fuel pump every time I start my car, it only takes about a half second to start and I've got 43000 on it.

JCHT79 · 11-26-2003, 11:56 PM

Okay alls fair, I've tried what AleroDownSouthGirl & others recommended and it's working fine so far!

I do hear the whirling sound though

12-01-2003, 02:02 PM

[font=Courier][color=blue][b]I had the same problem, here is what was wrong. I replaced my spark plugs at 75,000 miles with the ones that GM recommends. I had problems with starting and rough idleing. Here is what the dealership came up with

Bad Spark Plug wires

Rotten Iginition Coils

After replacing that the car starts great and runs very smooth. so maybe have it checked out. Cost like $80.00 for a Diagnostic Check like what was done on my car.

Now i have the famous Intake Manifold Gasket leak!!!!!!

JCHT79 · 12-01-2003, 02:43 PM

Had all my spark plugs and wires replaced when I dropped a new engine in last year.

I feel for you if you have the intake manifold gasket leak. :o Most of us have gone through that problem three, four or more times. Have the dealer check the radiator itself to rule out any cracks in it; check the pet rooster plug. The pet rooster is about a $10.00 part which the dealer will charged maybe more than $40.00 to replace.

12-01-2003, 04:59 PM

oh damn, my car always starts on the first or second time it just takes a little bit. This whole time i thought it had something to do with my battery or something.