My sister in law's 98 Firebird is hard to start up when cold. It sometimes starts and then immediately dies. Once it starts for good, it is fine.

I have checked spark plugs and they are fine. I just replaced the battery and the cables look good.

I have only thought of a couple but haven't checked yet. The egr valve and intake leaks.

What are some things I should look for?

Thanks, Mike.

 

is the fuel pump turning on? That used to happen with my truck.

 

Yeah, it is working. It isn't taking that long to start

When my relay went out in my Camaro, it took at least 10 seconds to crank. Her's only takes a couple.

 

Ive only had that happen to my '95 (even though different engines) only in extreme cold weather. But when Ide turn it over again it would crank over just fine. Scared me the first time. Dunno if this helps....just thought i would share the info.

 

Any more ideas

 

Does it happen every time you try to start it? Does it only happen in certain conditions?

 

Whenever it has sit for a while it takes longer to start it. I was thinking it had something to do with the cold weather but even on 70+ days it does it. My Camaro fires up immediately, probably the fastest I have ever seen. The Firebird definately has a problem.

 

Mine does that when it sits for a long time and the temps get below zero -or- freezing... but nothing on warm weather. Maybe check normal ignition stuf ( wires, plugs, and all that stuff.) For me its always the easiest things that cause problems.

 

sounds fuel related....like its loosing its prime.

 

Do the v6s have pressure regulators? It is a 98.

 

Yeah.....they do.

 

if there is even just the slightest bit of water in your gas, it can/will freeze and block up your fuel line. after a few seconds the pressure will force the gas through and it will start normally. This MIGHT be whats going on.

 

Like I said earlier, temp doesn't seem to affect it. Only if it has been sitting for a while and the motor cools down.

Under full throttle, it is fine and runs strong. Doesn't seem to be a clogged fuel filter. Sometimes now it even makes a funny noise when you go to crank it. Kind of like those door stoppers that are like a compressed spring. Like the ones in a house. They go Doinnnngggg Seriously, that is about as close to a description as I can make.