I was hoping I could get some advice regarding my problem.

Problem
The car cranks over for approximately 20 seconds before it even seems like it may attempt to start.

Symptoms:
-Whenever the bonne is cold (summer time) it won't start the first time I try. Even if I crank it over for approximately 30 seconds.
-Second try, if it starts, (which is usually the case) it'* within 10 seconds and idles smooth.
-Third try, if it starts, it will start within 5 seconds and sputter slightly
-If it hasn't started yet, on the 4th try it will start within 2 seconds and sputter a lot before coming to a smooth idle.
-As the outside temperature gets colder (eg. 5 degrees C) it starts first try within 5 seconds.
-It seems to start better in cold temperatures.
-This has been ongoing for approximately 4 months and the level of fuel in the tank seems to have no effect.

Items replaced on the car by me just before this started happening:

Installed Rebuilt Starter, replaced Fuel Pump & Sock, Replaced Fuel Filter,


Items replaced with the last 8 months:

Plugs, wires, ignition coil, power pack, pcv valve, air filter.


Note that when the car is up to operating temperature, it starts everytime within a couple of seconds

I would appreciate any feedback since I'm concerned it may leave me stranded when I need her the most, especially with winter coming.

Thanks in advance
Frank

Have you checked the fuel pressure at the fuel rail? You did just replace the pump and filter, but the regulator could be bad.

If that checks out, maybe the ignition?

No I haven't checked out the pressure on the fuel rail yet since I don't have the proper gauge set up. I'll have to try to locate one first.

Thanks for the advise theJMFC

Its possible that you have a bad injector, or fuel pressure regulator. I'm seen bad temp sensors cause the car to start hard when its cold. I would check your fuel pressure before you start your car, and let it sit over night with the fuel pressure guage on the rail and see if you loose fuel pressure. Very common to see a bad injector leak down over time, meaning it won't hold fuel pressure.


Jay

What I find odd is that it starts better the colder the ouside temperature is. Also when the car is up to operating temperature it starts great.

Frank

My Turbo Grand Prix started doing the EXACT same thing a few weeks after I got the fuel pump replaced (wasn't starting at all prior to that). It ran perfectly for weeks, then started having your same symptoms. Very hard to start in the morning, starts on a dime when it'* warmed up. And now that it'* getting cold out, I noticed it'* starting on the first try. I had the fuel pump, sending unit, and filter changed, along with the fuel tank and injectors cleaned. I still need to check the pressure, but I'm very suspicious of the regulator at this point. It'* the only fuel related thing that wasn't touched. Not that any of the brand new parts couldn't be faulty. But I planned on replacing the FPR anyway, so we'll see if that doesn't cure it. By the way......is the crank position sensor a possibility as well?

very unlikely, as these normally act up when hot.

I'm curious to see if the FPR makes a difference for you RareGMFan, as for the crank sensor it was replaced approximately 10,000 KLM ago.

What motor is in your Grand Prix RareGMFan?


Thanks for all the responses.

Just wondering if RareGMFan, solve the same problem he or she was having with there car. My car starts up first try in the morning when it'* the coldest. I should be ok during the winter months but I wish I could fix it before the summer when the problem is worst.


Any idea'*

Yes check the fuel pressure.
Also check the
TPS voltage at idle (engine off). C motor should be 4.2 - 4.6 volts. remove and clean the MAF and IAC sensors.
I believe during cold starting in open loop the ecu uses the crank & TPS signal.
You should also check your egr and look for vac leaks.
Thats just my 2 cents worth.