02 GP Won't Start When Hot

[NonCarGuy07]

My 02 Grand Prix 3.8 70K miles won't start when hot! Not an intermitent problem. Every time I drive more than 20 miles and turn off the engine, It won't start, until it "cools" down. With the cooler weather and if I run the heat, it doesn't seem to get to hot and will start. Like my handle says, I'm not really a "carguy" LOL...

[richtazz]

By not starting, do you mean the starter turns the engine over, but it just doesn't fire, or do you mean when hot it doesn't even turn over?

[NonCarGuy07]

Thanx for the quick reply!
Engine cranks and "sputters" but won't fire.

[richtazz]

Do you have any Check Engine/Service engine soon light on? At 70k, if it's mostly city miles, you're probably due for a tune up. Worn plugs/wires will cause a hard/no start, especially after warm-up due to increased resistance in the wires causing voltage drop to the plugs. It could be other items also, such as a bad ignition module or a coil, but less likely.

[NonCarGuy07]

Just turned 70K, mostly highway miles. No check engine lites. Plug wires seem fine. I did have it serviced by a GM dealer when it first happened, back in August. NPF (no problem found). Sputtering sound when trying to start, could that mean a "fuel issue", cause it seems to want to start...

[richtazz]

Have you noticed a lack of power, especially at higher RPM when the car starts? There is a known issue with 01-02 Grand Prix's being shipped with bad catalytic converters, and your car would be covered by the extended warranty offered by GM if it is bad. An exhaust back pressure test would confirm a blocked converter.

[NonCarGuy07]

Great question! It was replaced (under warranty) after I had that problem, low power about 10k miles ago.
The car shows no signs of a performance issue anytime when it's running, even if the temp gage shows hot (normal running temp). I can run the AC on the hottest day and never have an issue, until I shut it off and try to restart...

[alan &marge pepper]

I like the byke in the last post and its just my colour. anyways everything that was said do. spark plugs are the first and than the wirers and make sure they are not the cheap ones they are known to cause the same problem. the coil can cause it to act that way. how when it heats up a hair line crack can let the spark go to ground. have good day alan

[richtazz]

Since you've had the converter replaced, I'd go with the tune-up stuff first. My 99 GT had 73k when I bought it, and the rear bank of plugs were wasted.

Thanks for the compliment on the bike.

[NonCarGuy07]

Thanx! You're probably right, it's I assume that anything along those lines, would affect performance, not just re-starting (or try to) a "hot" engine...