Still slow to start

At 86K miles my 97 began to run rough but would start with just a flick of the switch. Now after changing plugs (twice) new wires and new fuel pump preasure regulator and rails she runs just great but is slow to start. Sometimes I even need to depress the accelerator ever so slightly in order to get it to start. I put a code reader on it and got no returned errors. Any thoughts?

Hey there buddy,
I read in the manual that you do not put your foot on the accelerator pedal. (to start the car)

Just a guess, but have you tried a new fuel filter. It might be clogged just enough to contribute to you starting problem, but not clogged enough to bog the system down when fully presurized. Like I said, it's just a guess.

Also, the EGR valve being dirty may cause it to run slightly rough.


Good Luck!

Not sure if you mean that the engine cranks excessively or you idle rough.

Running rough at idle could mean your throttlebody's caked up with crud. Examine and clean with tb (not brake) cleaner.

If the engine cranks hard, turn your ignition from the off position to where all accesories come on (do not crank the engine) back and forth 4 or 5 times with perhaps 1 second intervals. Then crank the motor it just might start with no problem. This procedure builds up pressure in the fuel rail and worked on a 96 tbird with startup problems. Turned out to be the relay.

I hope this helps

Thx guys but I know you are no supposed to depress the throttle at start up but I'm running out of things to check. Yes it does have new plugs, wires and the fuel rails with a new preasure regulator but it just doesn't start up as fast as it did before changing the plugs. Sincs it started right after that I even tried regapping the new plugs twice. Once with a more narrow gap and again with the reccommended gap. After that I tried another brand of plugs, champion gold tipped. I also changed the fuel filter,,,,still not right????

After that I tried another brand of plugs, champion gold tipped.

The plugs should be platinum tipped.

Take it in and have a shop test the fuel pump's pressure.

Are the plugs and wires ac delco? I've read several posts where aftermarket brands caused problems. If that doesn't help you can always take the parts back. Speaking of plugs, it's entirely possible to crack one while putting it in. I don't know how you'd check that one- the one time I did it I sputtered my way down to a garage and had them diagnose it after I got done with my fixes and it still ran like crap.

I know you're not supposed to have to use the gas pedal to start the car, but most (all?) FI cars have a feature where you can shut off the fuel pump if you put it to the floor. It helps starting balky cars you've managed to flood when its freaking cold out.