Hard Starting 2005 Impala

[Bob Little]

I have a 2005 Impala with 56,000 miles. After setting for a couple hours or over night, it doesn't start right away.(it will turn over) I have to try 2-3 times. The problem seams to be getting worse. (happens every day now, was just once in a while) It helps if I turn the key on and off a couple times before trying to start. After it does start there are no problems at all. Nice idal, good power and no hesitation. I have changed the fuel filter and cleaned the injectors. The motor I have is a 3.4 liter. any help would be great.
Thanks Bob

[mmmshiny]

ill for sure have to keep an eye on this post. i have a 2005 3.4 liter too. mine has been like that since i bought it. every time id talk to the dealership about it they would tell me the same thing "it is a sure start starter, it starts every time" and of course it would never do it while at the dealership. i have 77k miles. my advice to you is this: get rid of this car as soon as possible. on top of that hard starting occasionally now mine will start, idle a little rough for a few seconds then die. then of course once its running, it runs alright. on top of the starting problems, right now my gas mileage on the hwy SUCKS for some reason, my speedometer goes out every now and then (hopefully getting that fixed monday) and then today for the absolute stab to the heart, my transmission slipped for the first time.

[57chevyragtop]

Hi Bob,
Here is a couple of things you may want to look at: remove the air filter and be sure it's clean, knock most of the dirt out an get it as clean as you can. remove the air tube from throttlebody and clean the butterfly front and backside (use fingers only no screw drivers) and horn area...I use paper towels and WD-40. Also clean the MAFscreen, filter end of tube..carb or brake cleaner works best (be careful not to use any hard objects here) just let the cleaner evaporate. Put it all back together and if problem continues, then start testing your plug wires for resistance should be 3k to 4k per foot you might have weak or broken wire. pull a couple of plugs (in front first) and check gap. if iridium plugs do not try to adjust...gap should be .0060 center electrodes on these get very brittle and will break if not careful adjusting. If all seems well here you are probably going to have to get the fuel pressure tested. Might want to clean battery terminals too on this, possible weakness in ground can lower power to the starter. Simple things first. Never buy parts you don't need.

[Gems]

I had similar starting problems with my 2001 LS and it turned out to be the fuel pump going bad, intermittantly... Most times it would start and run perfectly... Sometimes, especially when hot, it would crank, fire, stumble and die... After many months of heartburn it was finally found to be the fuel pump... I had the pump changed and the car has been perfect...

[Bob Little]

Originally Posted by Gems

I had similar starting problems with my 2001 LS and it turned out to be the fuel pump going bad, intermittantly... Most times it would start and run perfectly... Sometimes, especially when hot, it would crank, fire, stumble and die... After many months of heartburn it was finally found to be the fuel pump... I had the pump changed and the car has been perfect...

Your correct....It was the fuel pump! Not cheep. I did manage to get GM to cover 1/2 the cost. Now the car starts fine. I think this is a problem that a lot of people are having. I work with a guy that has a impala and his is doing the same thing from time to time.

[Iflylow]

Glad you got it fixed!
Fuel pumps are a known issue with these cars, it's pretty common. Some people say running out of gas (even once) can cause the pump to suck up whatever is laying on the bottom of your tank, hastening it's death.
I hear the pump can be accessed through the trunk and is not very hard to change, but I have not changed one myself.