99 Sunfire 2.2L doesnt like to start right away

[HighFlyin128]

I have 99 Sunfire 2.2L doesn’t like to start right away. You turn the key and it cranks, cranks, cranks, and does that for about 5-8 seconds then start. If I shut the car off and turn it back on within an hour it seems to start pretty quick,(my only crank for a second or two)…..It seems to be when it sets for a few hours it just hates to start. It always cranks strong…..i.e. it doesn’t crank weak or slow like when your batter is very low.

I put a new alternator in it about 3 years ago and new battery in it last week. I do not have a system or any accessories that maybe causing any interruption. I have had this problem for year now and I have had it.

Can anybody help?

[dpm6836]

I'm not a mechanic, but try something easy first. Replace the fuel filter. Sounds like the fuel pressure issue.

[lilsweets3138]

Could it be bad spark plugs/wires? I know my car was having a hard time starting and so I got some new sparkplug wires and that fixed the problem. My car is a 97 cavalier.

[DGP1985]

I've got the same problem with my 99 cav and it still haven't figured out what was wrong with it....and I don't know about you but mine is on and off, everysoften it'ill start right away and some other times it'll take a good 5 seconds before it fires up....and has it's starting it seams to struggle to reach 1300-1500 rmps

[Spyder3K]

Also, look into a new coil pack setup on the car. Along with fuel, it could still be within the secondary ignition system, and I've noticed that sometimes, the coils like to get a little rusty on the 'coil to plug wire' ends (sorry, I can't figure a real name for them, lol). Any sort of rust could implicate a rough start and deny some voltage from reaching the plugs, which then, gets the fuel.

[Jason/RKBA]

Fuel pressure regulator.

[J-Ri]

Or the drainback valve in the pump, or a weak pump. Check the fuel pressure.

[ajace031]

Has anyone gotten to the bottom of this yet? I am also an owner of a 99 Sunfire and have the exact same issue. Mine just has a mind of its own. Sometimes it will fire right up and other times it will crank over for 10 seconds and sputter to a start. It is terrible! Mine has also been like this for over a year now...due to me and my mechanic not being able to figure out what the heck is causing it. Just this weekend I finally had to replace the starter and the battery because they have both taken such a beating from this issue. Here is a list of what I have replaced on mine and still has the issue.

Battery, Starter, Ignition, Cam Sensor, Crank Sensor, Fuel Pump, Fuel Filter and Spark Plugs.

I have not replaced the spark plug wires yet because they look fine. But we all know that looks can sometimes be deceiving so I will try swapping these out next...

Has anyone tried the Fuel Pressure Regulator like Jason/RKBA suggested?

[ajace031]

I have a good feeling that the Fuel Pressure Regulator is very likely causing this. I will keep you all updated on my findings. Thank you for the suggestion Jason . After reading your post I did a little searching on the web and found this site. Sounds like this for sure the problem. Check it out.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sympt...regulator.html

[Tech II]

If it's the fuel pressure regulator, you will usually find fuel in the vac line to it....

Usually on GM cars that have an extended crank when cold, but start right up when warm, it's the f/p relay.....the older cars had the relay in parallel with the oil pressure switch....if the relay didn't work, the car would crank until the oil pressure built up and closed the switch which would then power the fuel pump and it would start.....when you shut the car off, there is residual fuel pressure and the car starts right away and builds oil pressure quickly.....

[ajace031]

Replacing the Fuel Pressure Regulator fixed this issue for my 99 sunfire 2.2 L. So glad it is finally fixed after 2 years of banging my head against a wall. Fires up so fast now it is hard to let off the key fast enough lol! My wife is so happy.