Well yest I was washing my car and then when I went to leave it wouldn't start. So then I pushed it out and left it in the parking lot for like 1 1/2 and came back to find it started right up. Well today I went up to school to play bball with it. I get there, and parked it. Then I tried starting it up to move to another entrance of the school (doors were locked at the entrance) and it wouldn't start. well the first time it will start and die seconds later like it gets choked out. then it doesn't start but turns over. Then after waiting over an hour it will start again just fine. So I played bball and came back out. I started right up!!!

What the heck could be the problem with this thing? I don't really feel like waiting an hour or two each time to start the thing up, lol.

My car is a 97 camaro 3.8l with about 97k miles. Spark plug wires were changed at around 86k and plugs at about 93k.

 

ah, sounds like the ghey ol VATS system acting up. Next time you do it, check to see if the security light goes on when it wont start. When mine acts up, itll start, then die a few seconds later, then not even turn over. you gotta let it sit for like 5 minutes, take the key out, then put the key back in.

 

Are ur battery cables tight?

 

Yea my cables are tight, I checked them. What is the VATS system?

 

Vehicle Anti Theft System. Its basically that stupid little chip in your ignition key. Works good to deter theifs, but then after constant use putting the key in and taking it out of the ignition, the connectors lose sensitivity with the chip in the key. The 'chip' is basically a resistor, and if your VATS system is programmed to recieve like a 3.6 ohm signal, your chip is a 3.6 ohm resistor. When that connection is broken, the security light will come on, stay on, and the car wont even click or turn over.

 

oh that isn't the problem for me I dont think cuz it will still turn over, just not start. I will try my spare key though and see if it makes a diff.

Let me know if you guys have any more ideas, trying everything, lol.

 

ok, if it will turn over, the spare key wont do anything still, its definately not the VATS system. Next two things to check are fuel and spark. Next time it does it, check to see if you have spark (pull a boot, use a screwdriver). Also, if you have a fuel pressure gauge (portable one, not mounted in the car), hook it up to the schrader valve on your fuel rail and check for pressure.

 

I checked the fuel pressure today, it gets up to 40 psi at idle the first time. After warming it up, then shutting it off for 15 minutes. The car would start up but the pressure drops from 40psi to nothing in about 10 seconds and the car dies. It is weird why when cold it will start right up and hold 40 psi but then when you start it after sitting for 10-15 minutes the car will start then loose all its pressure.

Any ideas? I am stumped.

 

Dunno, fuel pump goin bad? No clue man, at least you know thats the problem, no pressure when you start once its warm.

 

it is weird though why the fuel pressure stays right at 40 psi when it is cold, and I can drive it around fine, but letting it sit then turning back on the pressure drops till it dies. Like the pump isn't turning on when warm or something.

 

Relays. I would dfinetly check the relay going to the fuel pump. Sometimes, they can "stick" and not want to turn on/off. Its also not that expensive and is something you can do yourself.