99 Grand Am Needs Gas To Start

I have a 1999 Grand Am 3.4L engine that has 227,000 miles on it. For quite a while now I've needed to press the gas pedal slightly in order for the car to start. Once it's started it idles fine. The car isn't throwing any codes and I've replaced quite a few things (not necessarily due to this...). Here's a list of what's new:

1) Camshaft Position Sensor
2) Plugs & Plug Wires
3) Mass Air Flow Sensor
4) PCV Hose
5) Fuel Filter

I've read about the Idle Air Control sensor, but I figured if there was something wrong with this it would throw a code and I'd have a dummy light on the dash (which there are none). What are some things I can look for to try to troubleshoot this issue? Thanks in advance.

Look at your throttle body...if its diry clean it...also look at your IACV see if its plugged up...both can cause that ...they wont throw a code most of the time

Look at your throttle body...if its diry clean it...also look at your IACV see if its plugged up...both can cause that ...they wont throw a code most of the time

I forgot to mention I cleaned the throttle body too. It was in good shape. I guess the Idle Air Control Valve is only around $30. I could just buy one and see if replacing it fixes the problem. I didn't really want to just swap random parts but I may have to.

did you take the TB off and clean it??
This is the only way to really clean it good.

The IAC is on the top right, round shape, and the port it sets in get major carbon buildup over time.
If those passages are not open it'll cause starting and idling issues. Which do get worse the worse the build up is. replacing the IAC wont change anything unless the port is clean and open.

My GA SE has over 300K miles with the factory IAC, its not something that just goes out unless its been tampered with, ie pushed or pulled the tip(pintle). or the port is cloged so bad it cant move inside the TB.

might also try some name brand injector cleaner if you dont use it regularly. these injectors get clogged and will cause start and other small issues.

btw here's a thread on the IAC,if you havnt seen it already.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=663849

hope that helps !

I didn't take the throttle body completely off, I just cleaned it up when I replaced the mass airflow sensor. It seemed pretty clean. I'll have to check out that port the IAC sits in. That's something I haven't looked at yet.

You don't need more gas, you need more air.....

I agree that the first place to start is the throttle body......it doesn't have to be removed to be cleaned......a rag soaked with carb cleaner or Brake Klean can clean the plate and bore.....basically have to clean the front and rear "edges" of the plate, and the bore where it "touches" the plate......

If hands/fingers are too big, use long stemmed cotton swab soaked in carb cleaner should do the trick......If that doesn't take care of the problem, then the IAC motor has to be removed...clean the pintle and the mating surface of the passageway........also make sure passage way is clear into the throttle body...

If that doesn't work, you could have a bad IAC, bad connection at harness connection or bad wire, or PCM problem(rare).....an IAC tester or a bi-directional scan tool is needed to test the IAC and it's circuit....

ya the TB might look clean from the MAF sensor side but the back of the butterfly will be carboned up. their is also a tiny hole in the butterfly, if its clogged their will be idle issues.

you can test the IAC manualy, in the link i provided above, but they rarely go out. And the ones ive seen just go out were from the port full of carbon and it couldnt move when it needed to.
They also break if you try to push or pull the tip(pintle), i wouldnt recommend doing that. they are pricey, around $65 for an IAC. :(