2002 Impala starting problems

OK this is my first post... see what I can get.

MY 2002 Impala, with around 70K miles, started this problem about 3-4 months ago. Put the key in, turn it... the engine turns over then shuts off. Turn the key again and the car starts right up. No Problems. It hasn't died on me after it has started or anything like that. First thing in the morning, the car starts right up the first time. Then after it sits for an hour or so, I have the problem. It does it about 60% of the time I would say, while the other times it starts up like normal.

With the fear of being stranded at some point, last week I took it to a Chevy dealership. After waiting 4+ hours while they worked on it, as well as me standing there while they saw the problem I was talking about, I was informed by 3 tech's and the service manager that this was normal. The computer was hooked up to the car and I was told the car was getting all the necessary charges and everything looked perfectly fine and it was nothing for me to worry about. My question was if this was "normal" why wouldn't it have done it since I have owned the car (i am the original owner)? They assured me once again it was normal and I didnt need to worry about it, but I have a hard time believing that. I keep all the maintenance kept up on a regular shedule and had the fuel filter changed while it was at the Chevy dealership. As far as anything else, the rest of the car runs and works perfectly fine... having no major problems to this point.

Any similar cases or advice? Thanks

Read the post 3 rows down. I think you might find it interesting. It's the one with tons of replies.

My 2004 Impala has the same starting problem. In the morning it starts within 1-2 seconds after turning the key, but later in the day it takes longer (5-6 seconds) and often starts softly then stalls right away. So sometimes it takes 3-4 times to turn the key to start the car. When i brought my car to the dealership last week they mentioned a "known Impala starting problem" when making the service appointment, but said my car had no problem (the mechanic worked on it in the morning) after looking at it - but later in the same day had the problem again.

It says "read the post 3 rows down" below, but I don't know what post that is (don't know how to find it). Can someone please please paste the post location here so I can see the prior knowledge, thanks much.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=656834

I would guess the fuel pressure regulator, but I haven't had the problem myself. Do the easy things first, like new fuel filter and injector cleaner.

It was the fuel pressure regulator. GM Goodwrench fixed today: $200 + tax to fix.

At 70k, you're on the verge of tune-up time. Don't believe GM's (or any other OEM) claims of 100k tune-up intervals, it just doesn't pan out in real world driving. Worn plugs and high resistance wires will cause random start/dies, long crank start-ups and hesitation/lugging at highway speeds. At just under 75k, my Grand Prix GT's rear bank of plugs were hit, the fronts looked better, but were worn as well. Plugs, wires, and PCV valve (you said you already did the fuel filter) may cure your issue.