97 Metro Intermittent Starting Issue

[1988GrandPrix]

I have a 1.3L with a 160k on it. I am confused as to why it will not start after short trips. I leave the car sit in the garage all night long. I get up and it fires right away. I leave it sit in the parking lot all day at work. It starts when I go to leave. I drive a short distance shut it off go into a store...come back out and it does not start. I have to crank and crank and it finally starts. This is really annoying...I do like to stop at the store on the way home from work at times and I am always scared that my beast is just not going to start one of these days. What could this be? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[metro_roy]

How long has it been since a tuneup, plugs, wires, etc.?

[1988GrandPrix]

My brother bought this at an auction...but he checked everything over for me and said it all looked good. He is in that type of business. A buddy of mine told me it was the Fuel Pressure Regulator...I just do not want to go throwing money at this thing.

[91Caprice9c1]

Check your sensor grounds. You will see one or two bundles of wires fastened to the back of the intake manifold beneath the throttle body with a 10mm hex bolt. If there is a poor connection here it may be vulnerable to the heat developed by the engine.

Check the fuel pump/pressure regulator/fuel injector by T'ing in a gauge at the throttle body. Pressure should be 23-30psi KOEO (key on engine off). For a quick and dirty test, you can take a pair of hose-pinch pliers and pinch off the return fuel line (the smaller one) and see if that makes a difference.

I'd also have a close look at the fuel pump relay. Maybe swap it with another relay and see if that doesn't change things.

-MechanicMatt

[robertbeck]

I had a very similar problem with my 98 metro. It turned out to be my starter. Try taking a screwdriver and bangin the starter relitively hard and start it. If it works, depending on how far it is gone, its your starter. Goodluck. Retails at autozone for 58.99 with 1 year warranty

[1988GrandPrix]

Thanks for all the posts. It seems as if it was the fuel injector. I recommend buying these online at carjunky.com. They are $100.00 cheaper than you get them at the any auto parts store.
I had the starter issue with my Grand Prix. It is always something with these cars. With the price of gas it seems people need to fix them themselves as labor is not cheap either.

[Johnny Mullet]

Originally Posted by 1988GrandPrix

I just do not want to go throwing money at this thing.

It will pay you back when you get it fixed up.