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Old 09-13-2003, 05:24 PM   #1
Wild Chuck
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'98 3.8L stalling/ hard start when warm

My '98 SE will stall 60 seconds after being started even under light throttle. This happens the first time the vehicle is started each day. The rest of the day the @#&% thing starts hard. Had it to a local PONTIAC dealer and they found nothing. ?????? Does anyone have any ideas?

New plugs installed, fuel injectors cleaned. Has its power back but still stalls after cold start up and is hard to start when warm. Had the dealer 'reprogram the computer' to see if that was the problem. If it is, reprogramming it didn't help.

Last edited by Wild Chuck; 10-15-2003 at 09:13 PM.
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Old 09-29-2003, 05:02 PM   #2
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Only things i can think of at the moment are that your fuel injectors are dirty, or that your spark plugs are going. Hope that helps. Just to be safe, clean the throttle body with some cleaner for it and run some STP complete through the gas. It should help it.
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Old 10-05-2003, 01:49 PM   #3
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The few things I could think of at this time iss your crank sensor.. I had one go out on me.. the part is about 20 bucks, and it mounts behind the harmonic balancer.. easy fix. If thats no it, it could be a cam sensor or coil pack. It sounds like the problem I had... crank sensor fixed it.
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Old 10-05-2003, 08:33 PM   #4
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Re: '98 3.8L stalling/ hard start when warm

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Chuck
My '98 SE will stall 60 seconds after being started even under light throttle. This happens the first time the vehicle is started each day. The rest of the day the @#&% thing starts hard. Had it to a local PONTIAC dealer and they found nothing. ?????? Does anyone have any ideas?
Are you geting a ses light???
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Old 10-15-2003, 09:07 PM   #5
Wild Chuck
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Re: Re: '98 3.8L stalling/ hard start when warm

No indicator lights at all except for check engine light when it stalls. It is really bizzarre. I can set a stopwatch to it, 60 seconds each morning on cold start and POOF, it struggles, then stalls. Its almost like it loses fuel when the idle begins to cycle down from start up. If I am right there when it acts up, I can pump the throttle and it will stay running. Kind of like trying to get an old Ford to run in the winter (not an easy task) : ) Lots of throttle pumping.
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Old 10-16-2003, 07:13 PM   #6
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Re: Re: Re: '98 3.8L stalling/ hard start when warm

It sounds more like fuel starvation!! Have you ever changed the fuel filter and had your IAC and throttle body cleaned
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Old 10-19-2003, 10:26 AM   #7
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New fuel filter installed Nov. 2002. Never cleaned the throttle body or IAC cleaned. In the last week, I've had it stall when I let off of the gas while cruising down the road as well when the coolant temp. is just above 100 degrees. Usually when trying to maintain a steady speed in the 25 to 45 MPH range {depends how late I am for work}. It only happens once though, which makes it weird. You'd think if it was a starvation problem it would happen a lot once the car is running. Once the car is above, say, 125 degrees or so, then the only problem is to start it after stopping somewhere and shutting off the engine. Will give it a shot though to clean the throttle body. I'm beginning to think I may need to open the coffers and feed the money pit.
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Old 10-26-2003, 03:33 AM   #8
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Sounds like Fuel Pressure regulator. $42 including shipping from gmpartsdirect.com

replaced mine. Starts first time, every time now and no more stalling when cold.
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