'97 3.1 Trouble Starting

Going on 'bout 3 years of this now.

The car will either
1. Start fine.
2. Start after a couple attempts.
3. Not start until 5 min of trying.
4. Not start for 1/2 hour.

I don't think this is the PASSLOCK issue- the light never comes on and it never "starts, then quickly dies". I encountered that situation only twice years ago.

When it runs, it runs just fine, idles fine, seems to have plenty of power.

I have changed the fuel filter. I took it to a shop awhile back but they couldn't duplicate the problem. Suggested several hundred dollars of fuel system cleaning- but of course no guarantees that would fix it. I declined.

Any thoughts on where to look?

Ummm , I always thought passlock kept the car from starting, never heard of passlock killing the engine after it started. Sounds like passlock if not all, some of the ones where you had to wait. So tell me do you experience this anytime you try to start her up or just first thing?

It varies. Although it does seem that the more troublesome starting episodes tend to occur after the vehicle has been sitting for awhile.

This morning, I spent probably 10 min or so getting it started. It had been sitting for 2 days with battery disconnected while I changed out the starter.

At lunch, it took 3 attempts. After lunch- started fine. And going home, started with no problems.

Regarding antitheft, By the "start then die" I mean it attempts to start but dies in less than 1 sec. When that happened to me, the antitheft light came on. That's not coming on even during the hard to start episodes.

gonna check for spark tonight or tomorrow morning if I can get it to not start...

I don't get it- the car has started every time on the first crank with no problems since my last post. Can't complain I guess- just wish I could understand why.

My '99 Blazer was like that for almost a year. Not quite as bad as what you are talking about I think but like in the morning you would have to crank it for about 10 to 15 sec sometimes 8 to 10 times before it would start but it did not die that much. Right after it started you could turn it off and it would hit in a second every time but if it sat for over a hour or two the same thing. I changed my fuel filter tuned it up. Then one morning my wife went to leave and it would not start so after some checking it was the fuel pump. Replaced it now it can sit a week and as soon as you turn the key it starts.

Do you mean it tries to fire and won't or it just spins. A park/neutral position switch can cause problems. Do you wiggle the shifter and it starts. Give us a little more specific information.

EGAD! I solved the problem! I pulled out the ignition lock cylinder, held it upside down and sprayed it full of electrical cleaner I got from the autoparts store. Sprayed till it ran clean onto a rag and then worked the key back and forth. Reinstalled it and haven't had a problem since. $0.10 fix.