99 3.1 hard start problem and fuel pump noise

[revkev6]

hey all, first post. I have a question about a hard start in my 99 lumina. this car has been doing this for 1.5-2 years. When the air temperature is above 40 degrees it will start to catch then stall immediatley. it always starts on the second or at worst third try. after it starts it runs just fine and gets great gas mileage to boot.

secondary question. I just started getting a noise from what sounds like the fuel pump. it makes 5 ticking noises when you turn the key on. I'm wondering if this is the pump itself starting to go?

[tblake]

welcome to AF!!! As for the ticking, where is the sound coming from? engine compartment, or rear of the vehicle? Ok, on to the start issue. you can pull the IAC Motor off with a couple torx pits, and clean it with carb cleaner, and its ports. Chances are if its never been done, it needs it. It is the thing on the throttle body right above the throttle position sensor. My other guess as to the hard start could maybe be a fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it, and turn the key to on so the pump runs and back off. And check to see if there is any fuel coming ot of the vacuum line port. If so, replace the fpr. As for the ticking, i need more info. It could be a relay ticking (fuel pump relay or VATS) causing the vehicle to not start. Any number of things.

[revkev6]

Originally Posted by tblake

welcome to AF!!! As for the ticking, where is the sound coming from? engine compartment, or rear of the vehicle? Ok, on to the start issue. you can pull the IAC Motor off with a couple torx pits, and clean it with carb cleaner, and its ports. Chances are if its never been done, it needs it. It is the thing on the throttle body right above the throttle position sensor. My other guess as to the hard start could maybe be a fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it, and turn the key to on so the pump runs and back off. And check to see if there is any fuel coming ot of the vacuum line port. If so, replace the fpr. As for the ticking, i need more info. It could be a relay ticking (fuel pump relay or VATS) causing the vehicle to not start. Any number of things.

thanks for the welcome and the reply. it's got 135k on it and to this point it has been a decent vehicle that has required very little maintenance work. the ticking is coming from the rear of the car. Sounds like it could be a relay type ticking I guess. It always ticks 5 times and hasn't seemed to impact the way the car runs. but it just started and I don't want to be left stranded if it is the pump going.

things I was thinking as a cause for the hard start include the IAC, FPR (I had already pulled it to see if the vacuum line dripped but I didn't check it with the key on), EGR valve or low fuel pressure(weak pump,faulty relay etc)

[richtazz]

Welcome to AF. Since the ticking is coming from the rear of the car, it's most likely the purge canister (located in the left rear quarter panel between the tank and the fender) and is normal. You normally wouldn't hear it because it doesn't purge until the engine is started. Tblakes suggestions are good ones, and you'll need to check fuel pressure with a guage to determine if you're getting fuel pressure at the schrader valve when the no-start occurs. Fuel pumps can act up intermittently.

[revkev6]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Welcome to AF. Since the ticking is coming from the rear of the car, it's most likely the purge canister (located in the left rear quarter panel between the tank and the fender) and is normal. You normally wouldn't hear it because it doesn't purge until the engine is started. Tblakes suggestions are good ones, and you'll need to check fuel pressure with a guage to determine if you're getting fuel pressure at the schrader valve when the no-start occurs. Fuel pumps can act up intermittently.

well, the no-start is dead on consistent. doesn't matter if the engine is warm or not, it only changes with outside air temp.

[richtazz]

Do you have a CEL (Check Engine Light) on? If so, your IAT (Intake Air Temperature) sensor could be bad. It is sending a bad signal to the PCM that is throwing off the fuel enrichment circuit when the temp is above 40 degrees causing the engine to stall.

[revkev6]

no cel but I haven't had it checked to see if there have ever been any codes thrown. the air temp sensor was my first thought but I assumed it would have thrown a code.

[revkev6]

Originally Posted by tblake

welcome to AF!!! As for the ticking, where is the sound coming from? engine compartment, or rear of the vehicle? Ok, on to the start issue. you can pull the IAC Motor off with a couple torx pits, and clean it with carb cleaner, and its ports. Chances are if its never been done, it needs it. It is the thing on the throttle body right above the throttle position sensor. My other guess as to the hard start could maybe be a fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it, and turn the key to on so the pump runs and back off. And check to see if there is any fuel coming ot of the vacuum line port. If so, replace the fpr. As for the ticking, i need more info. It could be a relay ticking (fuel pump relay or VATS) causing the vehicle to not start. Any number of things.

well you hit the nail on the head with the IAC. I picked up a air temp sensor ($15.00) and decided to try that and the IAC first. sensor made no difference but the IAC did. started right up afterwards. since I was cleaning I figured I might as well check out the EGR valve which wasn't too bad.

so all I have left is the ticking in the back. I crawled under the car and it is definately in the area of the purge container. if I turn the ignition to "on" without starting the motor it will tick as well. I don't seem to remember the car ever doing this before. any ideas what would cause it to change and how I could quiet it down?

thanks for the help so far you guys have been GREAT