Trouble starting s/c 01 GT in the morning - help!

myar55

New Member
Mar 19, 2007
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Hey all - I have a strange problem with my 01 GT. It's basically a stock 01 GT with a Vortech SQ kit. My problem is that in the morning, I have a hard time starting the car. It cranks and cranks and usually starts eventually, but this morning I couldn't get it to start at all (I tried at 8AM and 11AM). I tried replacing the battery when I thought the old one was geting bad, but it doesn't make any difference. Also, it wasn't even really that cold this morning (60 degrees?)

It was real warm today, so at around 7PM when I was walking to the store, I tried starting it just for kicks - and it started right up immediately.

The weird things I've noticed are:

1. My a-pillar lights are out, although the fuel pressure/boost gauges still work.
2. Even though it's practically impossible to start in the morning, it will re-start without any problem even if I've only gone a few blocks to get gas, and it will restart fine throughout the rest of the day (maybe a tiny bit slow in the evening if I leave work late).
3. The fuel pressure seems fine, from the gauge.
4. Once started, the car runs as well as the day I bought it.
5. I only seem to have real problems starting this car in the morning, and when it cranks - it cranks strong and without skipping or anything.
6. Giving it extra gas when I'm starting it does not help.

Does anyone have any ideas? I tried taking it to a mechanic, but I think he tried starting it too frequently after I dropped it off, because it worked fine for him every time he tried.

If anyone has any ideas that might help, I'll owe you all some beers. :D
 
Have you ever replaced the fuel filter? Do that. Also if you haven't recently replace the spark plugs. Routine maintenance can narrow it down, and might solve the problem....but if it doesn't it isn't money wasted - it's a good practice to keep stuff in working order :nice:
 
42lbs injectors are notorious for leaking down while sitting , my car takes about 2 extra rotations when cold to get started , after that its fine the rest of the day , the other culprit could be the PPRV valve in the tank , sometimes they go bad and wont hold pressure so everytime it sits you have to get pressure built back in the lines , could be a dirty filter as well , try priming the pump a time or two before you actually crank the engine and see if that helps .....
 
Sounds like the check valve in the fuel pump is going bad. It's letting the fuel drain back into the tank and has to reprime everthing in the morning. I was having the same problem with mine and changed out the entire unit and haven't had a problem since
 
Thanks guys - the fuel filter/spark plugs are relatively new.

To prime the pump, I'm assuming I would just need to turn the car on without starting it a few times (no gas pedal needed?)

I tried that this morning, and it started up relatively well. Is there a way to test the PPRV valve to isolate the problem, or is it a safe bet to just go ahead and swap the fuel pump? Also, will this problem get any worse?