Cranking two or three times when warm....

[Warp50]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and wondering if someone can help... I have a '96 3.1L Lumina with 133,000k. Runs great and starts right up, first time in the morning and right up when I leave work later in the afternoon. My problem or potential problem is when I stop for errands (Wal-mart, gas, hardware store, etc.), say after the car has run for 20 or so minutes. When I try to start it after leaving the store it will take two or three times to start. The engine turns over but will not catch. The check engine light has not come on and there is no hesitation or stalling when the car is running. I guess I'm trying to look ahead and aviod a future problem. Are there any sensors or parts that I could clean or check to remedy this problem? I just installed a new air filter and pcv valve.

Thanks for any help.....

[jeffcoslacker]

Crank position sensor and ignition module are most common suspects for this behavior...heat soak after shutdown will make either not work properly and cause a failure to start.

Some shops will reccomend you replace both if one goes bad...it's not a bad idea, they seem to have similar service life.

Check the wiring from both, sometimes they have issues with interference or heat related sag that can mimic a bad part...

[Warp50]

Is there anything I can do to clean the parts to help make them last? Or, do they just all of a sudden quit working? Also, where is the ignition module located?

Thanks

[jeffcoslacker]

Not really...both involve breakage of fine wire/connections internally..the CPS has an inductive winding that develops breaks in the wiriding that open when heated, the module is a circuit board that can can crack or develop bad solder joints from heat and vibration...nothing you can really do about it.

The IM is laying under the coil packs like a pancake, the coilpacks plug in the top of it...