Slow starting/long crank

[Jfridge92]

So I've been having this issue on and off ever since I bought the Buick. It always takes a long time to crank before it fires. To be clear on that, when I turn the key to on, I let it ding 2 times to let the fuel pump "prime" and then turn my key. The engine will crank over for 5-10 seconds before it actually will catch and fire. Lately it's been getting to the point to where it seems like the car won't even fire, and I'll have to try multiple attempts to get it to start.


So far here's what's been done:

New battery
New starter
New plugs/wires
LIM and UIM has been taken care of
Checked the FPR
No vacuum leaks that I can find
No CEL or history codes, got them scanned yesterday just to be sure.


So does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I can check? I've never had any problem with the car stalling while driving, or even acting like it wants to for that matter, so I don't think it's a fuel pump issue, but I haven't had the pressure checked. However, I'd think if it was a fueling issue I'd have more problems while driving, and the car has plenty of power

[PLAGUE PHANTOM]

Sounds like beggining signs of crankshaft position sensor failure. My car was doing this to until I changed it. When was the last time yours was replaced?

[94SilverSSEi]

I am having a similar issue. The car taking longer than normal to fire.

I'm thinking it may be my fuel filter, as I have had the car 25k miles and the filter is pretty rusty but was worried about breaking fuel lines (because of the rust) so didn't change it.

[Jfridge92]

It hasn't been replaced in the life of the car that I know of lol. If that's the case though, wouldn't it be setting a code?

Also forgot to add, the fuel filter only has 1500 miles on it since I changed it last

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Have you checked the IAC and cleaned it out?

[Jfridge92]

I haven't yet, but my throttle body is probably due for a good cleaning. I suppose I can try that soon

[jahmal804]

I am currently having the same exact issue with my 1995 bonneville. i have changed all that you have changed including the Crankshaft Sensor and still having the same issue up until this day. I dont have a clue on what to do.....

[Jfridge92]

Kinda let this thread die on accident, but I did wind up cleaning my IAC and throttle body, but it didn't seem to help at all. My car starts every time, sometimes it does just take a little longer crank time, but as long as it starts and goes I'm not worrying about it. When it keeps turning and not firing up, then I'll start troubleshooting some more.

A gear reduction starter did seem to help a bit though. However, I only put one on because my original starter went bad. Have you cleaned your throttle body and IAC as well?

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

One last thing to check: fuel pressure regulator. Pull off the vacuum tube and sniff for gas. Any gas smell, it's time to replace it. Those things are flipping expensive for such a tiny part, though!

[reb]

If fuel pump is original, that probably is your problem.

[Jfridge92]

The FPR on my car has been swapped before, and when my MAF died the shop tested Fuel pressure, and it was good, so I'm not sure on mine haha. Maybe it's just one of those exceptions where there's really nothing wrong, it just seems like there is. Like I said, until it refuses to start one day, I guess I won't worry about it, but hopefully someone can help you jahmal804. Like has been stated, check your fuel pressure regulator, and see if you can rent a fuel pressure gauge from your local parts store and check your fuel pressure.

[RogueSSEi]

I know this may sound dumb but where is the crank sensor located at? On the transmission side or the belt drive side?

[Mechanical Mike]

He who asks a dumb question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

It's on the belt side behind the harmonic balancer.

[RogueSSEi]

He who asks a dumb question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

It's on the belt side behind the harmonic balancer.

Grasshopper ask, grasshopper learn.
Lol
Is it hard to get to/replace if and when they go out?

[Archon]

You have to remove the harmonic balancer to get to it. From techinfo.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... c8267.html

[1oldman]

So I've been having this issue on and off ever since I bought the Buick. It always takes a long time to crank before it fires. To be clear on that, when I turn the key to on, I let it ding 2 times to let the fuel pump "prime" and then turn my key. The engine will crank over for 5-10 seconds before it actually will catch and fire. Lately it's been getting to the point to where it seems like the car won't even fire, and I'll have to try multiple attempts to get it to start.


So far here's what's been done:

New battery
New starter
New plugs/wires
LIM and UIM has been taken care of
Checked the FPR
No vacuum leaks that I can find
No CEL or history codes, got them scanned yesterday just to be sure.


So does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I can check? I've never had any problem with the car stalling while driving, or even acting like it wants to for that matter, so I don't think it's a fuel pump issue, but I haven't had the pressure checked. However, I'd think if it was a fueling issue I'd have more problems while driving, and the car has plenty of power

I'm no gearhead, but you might want to do a compression check. It could be time to have the valves ground. When the ole car I'm driving started getting hard to start after a major tune-up (243K miles), the youngest son convinced me to let him pull the heads and have the valves ground - fixed. - BC

[Jfridge92]

If that was the case there'd be a new motor going in the car haha, but that is something I could check. Wish I would have thought about it the other week, I just threw new plugs in it so that would have been a perfect time to check the compression. I have a feeling compression is okay though, since I'm still getting plenty of power out of the car at all speeds. The only time I feel like it's down at all is when I get ready to leave from a stop light, but I'd always attributed that to the gear ratio in the transmission. It's got the 2.86 IIRC, so unless you give it about 1/4 to 1/2 throttle it takes it a bit to get going. But thats getting completely off topic lol.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Fuel pressure regulator is likely okay, then. Although a bum part could have been replaced by another bum part!

Did you tighten the + battery terminal enough or check it recently? That darned terminal loved to loosen up on my old LeSabre.

[1oldman]

If that was the case there'd be a new motor going in the car haha, but that is something I could check. Wish I would have thought about it the other week, I just threw new plugs in it so that would have been a perfect time to check the compression. I have a feeling compression is okay though, since I'm still getting plenty of power out of the car at all speeds. The only time I feel like it's down at all is when I get ready to leave from a stop light, but I'd always attributed that to the gear ratio in the transmission. It's got the 2.86 IIRC, so unless you give it about 1/4 to 1/2 throttle it takes it a bit to get going. But thats getting completely off topic lol.

On my ole car, the compression was okay. The valve job did the trick though. By the way, the ole car has almost 290K miles now and with the "new" ECM, I think it might even run better than when it was new - lol! - BC

[Oldsman003]

has anybody found an answer for this? same symptoms. curious as to what the issue could be. i also have replaced numerous parts in the past little while