Hey so I just recently got an 2002 grand am gt the car runs smooth but has trouble starting when sitting. It’s just the previous owners didn’t seem too mechanically inclined so I was wondering what maintenance,mods, and things I should add/swap out to have my grand am running like mint.
Older grand am gt maintenance
- Thread starter Jcruz21
- Start date
Define "trouble starting"?
Does it crank strongly but the engine just won't fire off quick?
Cranks slow?
Put your headlights "on" when starting the car, see how much they dim and does the engine crank slow? If this is your situation then it's the battery or charging system.
If the battery is good and the engine cranks strong without much dimming of headlights then it could be several things.
First thing I would look at is fuel pressure. There is a check valve that once the fuel pump stops it stops the fuel from going back into the tank and hold the rail pressure for next start. These get sticky or don't make a good seal and fuel pressure bleeds off while the car sits causing a longer engine start time as it needs to build enough fuel pressure before starting. If you do not have a fuel pressure gauge to connect to the port on the fuel rail then try this; Before moving the key to the "start" position only turn it to the "run" position and let sit for 5 seconds. Return the key to the "off" position and repeat the first step of going to "run" position and leave it there for 5 seconds before returning the key to the "off" position. Every time you put the key to the "run" position the fuel pump gets power for a few seconds then shuts off, what we are trying to do is build up the fuel pressure in the rails before cranking the engine over. If this helps your starting then it's probably that check valve.
Does it crank strongly but the engine just won't fire off quick?
Cranks slow?
Put your headlights "on" when starting the car, see how much they dim and does the engine crank slow? If this is your situation then it's the battery or charging system.
If the battery is good and the engine cranks strong without much dimming of headlights then it could be several things.
First thing I would look at is fuel pressure. There is a check valve that once the fuel pump stops it stops the fuel from going back into the tank and hold the rail pressure for next start. These get sticky or don't make a good seal and fuel pressure bleeds off while the car sits causing a longer engine start time as it needs to build enough fuel pressure before starting. If you do not have a fuel pressure gauge to connect to the port on the fuel rail then try this; Before moving the key to the "start" position only turn it to the "run" position and let sit for 5 seconds. Return the key to the "off" position and repeat the first step of going to "run" position and leave it there for 5 seconds before returning the key to the "off" position. Every time you put the key to the "run" position the fuel pump gets power for a few seconds then shuts off, what we are trying to do is build up the fuel pressure in the rails before cranking the engine over. If this helps your starting then it's probably that check valve.