Another start up question folks. My girlfriends bonneville is having a hard time starting up when the engine is cold. She has to try about 5 times to get it going, but once the engine is heated up it will crank everytime the first go around. Whats happening here? Thanks.

Is all that stereo equip hooked up properly? A drained battery can have ill-effects on some starting issues.

That was my bonneville that had all that stereo equipment. I lost it in a TBone in 2003. My girl has a 1995 Bonneville now, that is having the problem.

When you try to crank it, does it try to turn over, or is there nothing at all? Does her accessories come on allright? How cold are we talking about here?

It cranks and everything does light up and works properly. Infact the only problem is the cold start. It takes about 5 tries. Then engine has to be cold to the touch to have this problem. This means it usually happens when it sits over night after use. Tell me what you think.

First geuss would be spark plugs. Do you think they are getting sparked evenly, and are all of them gapped properly? Also could be something dealing with the crank sensor or icm. Does not really sound like an electrical problem at all. Another thing is that no fuel could be getting sent to the PCM on startup. Are you able to get any codes pulled from the car?

Maybe a gearhead will pop in soon...

One more thing, you got oil in it, right? I mean all the fluids and filters are in pretty good shape?

fluids are in good shape. My first guess was the plugs to. My silly self was in such a hurry to clear some chores off my plate, that I went to the salvage yard and picked up a starter. When my girl picked me up afterwards her car fired right up. I didn't say a word, but I just watched and listned. Every time she cut it off it started back up again. Of course I was pissed because now I have find time to return this starter.

I would say check the plugs first, if you havent done so allready. I think an easy/crude was is to have a screwdriver shoved in place of a plug, then fire it up and try to watch if any sparks are happening. Do this 6 times, (V6). I think thats a way, but not too sure, might want to use the search tool and see what you can come up with. I would also check the plugs themselves, see how bad they are burnt and run a gap tool through them to see if they are the correct size.

Information for diagnosing hard start from '92 FSM suggests that maybe the computer is not getting information that the engine is cold, and is not supplying enough fuel to start it. If the electronics are the same for the '95, the coolant temperature sensor may be bad. You can check it with the engine cold with an ohm meter: 7280 ohms at 40F; 12,300 ohms at 23 F; 21,450 ohms at 5 F.

[edit] maybe just a corroded or loose connection to the coolant temperature sensor, intake air temperature sensor, or throttle position switch. Couldn't hurt to uno and re-do them to make sure they are clean and tight. Won't cost much, either.