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Engine starts and then dies after approximately 10 seconds

Tiny
BJRAMEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 231,000 MILES
Car sat for a year and a half, thought issue was a plugged fuel filter, replaced fuel filter, did not solve issue, can hear fuel pump running, checked many electrical connections under hood, no corrosion found, thought might be a faulty ecm, got replacement ecm from salvage yard and replaced, still have same issue.
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Friday, August 28th, 2015 AT 6:23 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Have you confirmed that fuel pressure is within the manufacturer's specs? Has the check engine light ever stayed on while it was running? Does it start right back up after it stalls?
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Friday, August 28th, 2015 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
BJRAMEY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I don't have a fuel pressure gauge to verify pressure but I can hear the fuel pump running right after the engine dies for a few seconds till the pressure is pumped up again. I be never seen the check engine light come on also before I parked my car car when it was humid out the car would occasionally miss until something dried out with the heat of the motor and then it would run perfectly.
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Friday, August 28th, 2015 AT 11:58 PM
Tiny
BJRAMEY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Also yes if you attempt to start it after it dies it will instantly start only to die again.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2015 AT 12:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Just for curiosity, when was the last tune up? Also, even though the pump can be heard, it may not be providing enough pressure. Even a plugged fuel filter can limit the pressure to the engine.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2015 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
BJRAMEY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Last tune up was probably 20-30 thousand miles ago, and as I stated the fuel filter was replaced while trying to take care of this issue. I personally think that it's an electrical issue as it had the missing or hard starting issue in humid or wet weather before I parked my car.
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Monday, August 31st, 2015 AT 7:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Because it can be different things, what I want you to try is this. When it's dark outside, open the hood and mist water on all the ignition components. Have a helper start the car and let it run as long as it will while you check to see if anything is arcing.

If nothing is found, you will need to remove the direct ignition control (DIC) which the coils are mounted to and have it tested. If that checks good, I would suspect a problem with the crank-sensor.
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Monday, August 31st, 2015 AT 8:40 AM

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