1996 Grand Am GT warm start acceleration problems

[Nitro187]

I have a 96 grand am GT, and started having a bit of problems last year, and it seems to be getting worse.

If the engine is cold (hasn't been run for a few hours) it runs perfect.... no problems. But, if I turn it off, and wait 5 mins - ~30 mins before starting it again, it sounds like it's running fine, but when I try to accelerate faster than just "idling up to speed" it struggles. If you floor it, it almost stalls, yet if you gradually accelerate up to say, 80 km/h, it runs perfect again. :\

It does this EVERY time I stop for like I said, 5 - 30 minutes... sometimes even 2 minutes of 'off time'. This gets really dangerous, because when I pull out of my friends driveway on a hill, I have to go uphill, and to go uphill, you have to accelerate hard, the car crawls up the hill, till I can accelerate normally. It makes no sense.

Also, One more thing to note is that if I throw it in neutral, and rev the engine... it revs perfectly fine, I put it back into drive, and it does that 'trying to stall" thing when you try to rev up.

Any ideas?

Fuel filter? Catalitic converter?

last year I put new platinum spark plugs and wires on the car, so it can't be that.

Thanks!!!

[doobiess]

Well if i had to make the call i would say fuel problem.. first do the fuel filter.. and see how it is.. if it persists get your fuel pressure tested.. and see if its ok because it sounds like fuel isnt getting there normal

[Nitro187]

That would make it hesitate till it runs for a bit again? I know I have to change the fuel filter, I wanted to do it over a year ago, but no one knows how to change it... hahah. I guess I have to go to a shop. If that doesn't work, maybe a fuel injector cleaner?

[Nitro187]

anyone?

[doobiess]

well before jumping to conclusions start with narrowing down whats wrong.. first is the fuel filter.. if that dont work i would recomend getting your fuel pressure tested to see if your pump is ok.. if it is.. then yes a fuel injector next but generally only 1 may clog or whatever.. but a fuel injector cleaner wont exactly make is mr clean.. it will only prevent it from getting worse.. wont cure the prob.. so a sound test to each injector to find it they are all working... and go from there..

[doobiess]

but most likely and i would say 80% fuel pump is the prob.. those are symptoms of the pump going

Also when you let your gas tank go low how low do you let it go.. and keep in mind if you let it go real low that will destroy a fuel pump.. because they need gas to lubricate it.. and if there isnt any.... well you need it replaced

[urscheler]

That's sounds exactly like my problem. I have put in fuel injector cleaner, but did not help.

I am no mechanic. How can I check the fuel pressure? At Advance Auto Parts, or do I need to bring it to a shop?

Can you tell me where to find the fuel filter adn how to change it?

If that does not help I will get the fuel pump changed.

BTW, is your car working again? What was the problem?

thanks