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Starts then dies, but will eventually stay running

Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 160,000 MILES
I have a 99 Pontiac Grand Am 3.4L When I go to start it, it fires then dies, It will do this 3 or 4 times before I can keep it will stay running. And to get it to stay running I end up having to push the accelerator 1/4 to 1/2 throttle and hold the key in start position for a few seconds after it initially fires. After I get it to stay running it runs great.
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 7:27 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The first thing I would check for is codes have you done that yet?Also do you have a multimeter to do some testing?You could have a bad coolant temp sensor it would make sense for your symptoms.
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I don't have a reader for the newer stuff. Yet. It Does it hot or cold
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Hi saturntech9. How about low oil level / pressure and the fuel pump is switched on by oil pressure? I don't know which years or models that applies to but sure sounds like how that system acted.
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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Hey Doc, The fuel pumps that are integrated into the fuel pump circuit are done so as redundant power supplies for the pump. The relay will pre-empt the oil sender, unless it is bad.
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 7:57 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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It wouldnt hurt caridodoc jhenriksen check your oil level see if its low. Also take it to a auto parts store like auto zone and have them scan the computer for codes. If you have any codes then let me know the exact code numbers not the code descriptions. Also a multimeter would be helpful to test things.
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Oil level is good. I will get it scanned. I do have a mulitmeter.
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Alright let me know about the codes and we will go from there.
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Monday, December 26th, 2011 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
No codes, fuel pressure kinda dances from low to high 40s as I crank it over and its trying to start.
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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 11:35 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Pull the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line off the nipple see if there is fuel coming out of the nipple.
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 12:02 AM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Nope, its dry
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 12:16 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Another thing to try with the fuel pressure gauge hooked dont start just turn the key to the run position for a couple of seconds then tun it off. Then repeat that two more times then watch the fuel pressure for 5mins and let know what the fuel pressure reads in 5 mins.
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 12:24 AM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Will try that tomarrow
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 12:50 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Alright keep me posted have a safe and happy new years.
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 1:00 AM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
44-45 pounds
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Alright do you have a multimeter?
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
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Yes.
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Alright when the engine hasnt been started that day and you know the outside temp. Unplug the coolant temp sensor and measure resistance across the coolant temp sensors terminals. Let me know the outside temp and the resistance of the coolant temp. Also make sure the connector going to it that the terminals arent all blue or green instead of silver.
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
JHENRIKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
14.85k its about 18 f degrees
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Monday, January 2nd, 2012 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
JERRY89
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the same car and when I first got mine about 4 months ago I had this same problem.. In my car the map sensor was bad but I replaced it and haven't had a problem out of that area since hope it helps
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Monday, January 2nd, 2012 AT 10:50 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Thats pretty close to what it should be have you checked your map sensor?Can you get a hold of a scan tool that can read live data?SO we can see whats going on when its cold starting?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 7:03 PM

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