My biggest problem is getting the car to start after it has been driven, but occasionally it doesn't want to start cold either. Sometimes there is fuel in the rail after it has been turned over and sometimes there is no fuel in the rail. We changed out the fuel pump relay, fuel filter and all vaccum lines. Can the fuel pump go in and out or does it just quit? Any suggestions wouls be great.

Thanks!

Jodi

First, welcome to the club!

Second, we need to know what you have. If we know the year, trim level, etc., we can help you better now and in the future. When you get time, put that info in your signature. EDIT- I see the post topic. That helps

With that said, have you checked your VATS key? It is the simplest link in the starter chain, and most of the time the root of starting problems. Clean the pellet off with alcohol, and run the key through the tumblers a few times while the key is still wet. Wipe the key off real good after doing that, and let the tumblers dry a few minutes before trying to start the car.

Hard starting after sitting, especially with the fuel rail issue you describe, can sometimes be attributed to a leaky fuel injector (pooling fuel in the lower intake manifold) or a leaky fuel pressure regulator. The FPR location differs by year.

After driving for a bit, turn off the car and pull the vacuum line off the FPR. Do you smell or see fuel in it? Your injectors will be harder to test. It'll require pulling the fuel rail (differs slightly from engine to engine), and putting 6 small containers under the injectors, then priming the pump, and waiting overnight to see if any leaked.

It is a 1994 Bonneville SE VIN code L. Sorry I didn't list all the car info. It is my brother in laws car and my husband and I are trying to fix it for him. We are more familiar with Ford and Toyota. Pontiac is new to us.

When the manual talks about bleeding the system with the Schrader valve should you actually feel/hear air come out? We did it 10-15 times and did not feel/hear anything and still did not get fuel. Also when we checked the fuel lines at the filter they both had fuel, but no real pressure like fuel injection should have. We also replaced the gasket inside one of the fuel lines where it connects to the rail (off the top of my head I can't remember if it was the return or supply, but it was the one on the drivers side of the car). It was really worn out. Should the other be replaced also even if it is not leaking?
There is a cap/top that has a couple of vacuum lines going to it (I can't remember what its real name is and I left the manual with the car) I was wondering if the O-ring that is on it being extremely worn/rotted would cause the problem we are having ? We are going to replace the )-ring today. The car runs great after it is started and his brother says if you let the car sit for 2 hours (I don't know exactly how he came up with this number) it will always start again. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.