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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 03:19 PM
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Default starting issue

my c5 is not starting immediately like she used to. i turn the key and get a sound like she's trying to start, but just doesn't. if i turn off the key and try again, then she'll fire up after just a few seconds (and more of the cranking sound). it is VERY embarassing when you're in a lot or at a gas station and your nice car is going "wah wah wah" instead of starting!

anyway...

my mechanic said that the fuel sensor indicated NO fuel at startup.

so he replaced the fuel filter. not it.

then he replaced the fuel pressure regulator. now it shows that gas IS there at startup, but the issue did not go away. he thinks i may have to replace the fuel pump that has the sender unit in it. ARGH. that is pricey...i know because i had it replaced a few years ago (NOT for this same problem at all, though.)

any ideas?
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 03:37 PM
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Hey Liz!

When you first turn the ignition to 'ON', you should hear the fuel pump run momentarily (to bring it up to pressure), and then cutoff. If it runs for a long time, or not at all, I'd say that could be your problem. Ideally, I would hook a fuel pressure guage up and see what type of pressure you are getting. It might not be fuel related at all.
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by JR_VETTE
Hey Liz!

When you first turn the ignition to 'ON', you should hear the fuel pump run momentarily (to bring it up to pressure), and then cutoff. If it runs for a long time, or not at all, I'd say that could be your problem. Ideally, I would hook a fuel pressure guage up and see what type of pressure you are getting. It might not be fuel related at all.
that's what the mechanic has done...hooked the gauge up. it shows now that the fuel is there (at the right pressure) at start up. that's why i don't understand how replacing the pump itself would help.
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 03:43 PM
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hmm, i was going to say it sounded like fuel pump...but if you've got fuel pressure from the get go...idk what to say any more..Sorry! Wish i could help!


Chris
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by oyealiz
that's what the mechanic has done...hooked the gauge up. it shows now that the fuel is there (at the right pressure) at start up. that's why i don't understand how replacing the pump itself would help.
Did he check your injectors? You might have a leaky injector that is dumping fuel when it shouldn't be.
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by oyealiz
my c5 is not starting immediately like she used to. i turn the key and get a sound like she's trying to start, but just doesn't. if i turn off the key and try again, then she'll fire up after just a few seconds (and more of the cranking sound). it is VERY embarassing when you're in a lot or at a gas station and your nice car is going "wah wah wah" instead of starting!

anyway...

my mechanic said that the fuel sensor indicated NO fuel at startup.

so he replaced the fuel filter. not it.

then he replaced the fuel pressure regulator. now it shows that gas IS there at startup, but the issue did not go away. he thinks i may have to replace the fuel pump that has the sender unit in it. ARGH. that is pricey...i know because i had it replaced a few years ago (NOT for this same problem at all, though.)

any ideas?
how many miles on your plugs?
Your ignition has a big effect on your starting.
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by oyealiz
my c5 is not starting immediately like she used to. i turn the key and get a sound like she's trying to start, but just doesn't. if i turn off the key and try again, then she'll fire up after just a few seconds (and more of the cranking sound). it is VERY embarassing when you're in a lot or at a gas station and your nice car is going "wah wah wah" instead of starting!

anyway...

my mechanic said that the fuel sensor indicated NO fuel at startup.

so he replaced the fuel filter. not it.

then he replaced the fuel pressure regulator. now it shows that gas IS there at startup, but the issue did not go away. he thinks i may have to replace the fuel pump that has the sender unit in it. ARGH. that is pricey...i know because i had it replaced a few years ago (NOT for this same problem at all, though.)

any ideas?


first.what is the fuel pressure? is the car holding residual pressure[this is the pressure retained in the fuel line/rail AFTER you shut it off]? you can have pressure and not enough volume[if that's the case the motor should be laying over].i would like to know the fuel pressure and residual[car off] fuel pressure AFTER sitting for 15 minutes.if you have a bad check valve in the fuel pump,fuel pressure should drop as soon as you turn the car off,BUT this will also happen with leaking injectors.
I'M ASSUMING THERE ARE NO FAULTS STORED IN THE PCM.
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rock'en Silver 02
how many miles on your plugs?
Your ignition has a big effect on your starting.
the plugs and wires were just replaced. could something have been messed up there, perhaps?
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by dpd
first.what is the fuel pressure? is the car holding residual pressure[this is the pressure retained in the fuel line/rail AFTER you shut it off]? you can have pressure and not enough volume[if that's the case the motor should be laying over].i would like to know the fuel pressure and residual[car off] fuel pressure AFTER sitting for 15 minutes.if you have a bad check valve in the fuel pump,fuel pressure should drop as soon as you turn the car off,BUT this will also happen with leaking injectors.
I'M ASSUMING THERE ARE NO FAULTS STORED IN THE PCM.
my mechanic said he's left the gauge hooked up and the pressure stays up after being turned off and later. sorry, though, i don't know what the pressure is reading.

i honestly don't know if he checked codes.
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 05:06 PM
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does the problem happen hot,cold,doesn't matter? once it starts,how does it run? does it skip[miss]? does the tach fluctuate more than 100-150 rpm's? you can check for faults yourself,but i'm assuming there are none because the check engine lamp is off[isn't it?].
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by dpd
does the problem happen hot,cold,doesn't matter? once it starts,how does it run? does it skip[miss]? does the tach fluctuate more than 100-150 rpm's? you can check for faults yourself,but i'm assuming there are none because the check engine lamp is off[isn't it?].

yes, hot or cold does not matter. it runs fine once started...no problem at all.

does the tach fluctuate when?

no check engine light is coming on, correct.
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 05:43 PM
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does the idle flucuate after it starts? if you crack the throttle,will the car start right up or it doesn't matter.what i'm trying to get at is,if the throttle housing is gunked up[not enough air coming across the blade].if you mechanic says,fuel pressure is good and holding i'm going to assume the fuel delivery is ok for the time being.
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by dpd
does the idle flucuate after it starts? if you crack the throttle,will the car start right up or it doesn't matter.what i'm trying to get at is,if the throttle housing is gunked up[not enough air coming across the blade].if you mechanic says,fuel pressure is good and holding i'm going to assume the fuel delivery is ok for the time being.
everything is fine once she starts, she starts every single time, and it doesn't take long to start. i can just tell a difference from before.
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 03:37 PM
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You said plugs/wires were just replaced? What plugs/wires were used? Are you sure that plugs are all the way in and gapped right? I would say check the plugs and wires
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