Car won't start... sometimes
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Robbinsdale, MN
Sounds exactly like mine. I went out this morning to test a theory. I opened the pressure relief valve, and lo and behold, no pressure there. Turned on the key, and after 30 seconds a little gas shot out, but didn't seem to be under much pressure.
Turned the key off again, and then back on, sat for about 30-45 seconds, and she fired right up. Still sound like the Regulator?
If so, what are delivery times from gmparts direct like?
Turned the key off again, and then back on, sat for about 30-45 seconds, and she fired right up. Still sound like the Regulator?
If so, what are delivery times from gmparts direct like?
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Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Oregon
[quote="MOS95BIf so, what are delivery times from gmparts direct like?[/quote]
Website said they had part in stock so I ordered. Still no tracking info after 3 days so I emailed them. They said part was not in stock but had been ordered & would be mailed soon.
Long story short, took 10 days.
Your mileage may differ.
Website said they had part in stock so I ordered. Still no tracking info after 3 days so I emailed them. They said part was not in stock but had been ordered & would be mailed soon.
Long story short, took 10 days.
Your mileage may differ.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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MOS95B, it sure does sound like the regulator, i would be awful surprised if was not! Judging by the service manager'* quick answer when i went in and talked to him about my hard start, I would say its not uncommon in the 3800.
Before i fixed it, I had the problem further confused by an engine stall while driving during the same time as the hard starts... with the stall, she would just shut off, sometimes on the highway which was pretty scary, and it not start back up in neutral. The car would then start back up a few minutes later. I don't usually like to pay the dealer repair prices, but on a safety problem like this, i wanted it fixed right & took it to Pontiac, they determined it was the crank sensor. Anyway, i assumed both problems were connected to it. Well i got the car back and there was the hard start still, but the engine stall was gone! That was when i called him explaining the hard start and he said try a regulator... it worked! BTW, I also had the dreaded upper manifold problem about 20k ago, now im thinking about the 180 stat. Is the replacement upper from Pontiac reinforced or redesigned? anyone know?
let us know how it goes with your hard start!
Before i fixed it, I had the problem further confused by an engine stall while driving during the same time as the hard starts... with the stall, she would just shut off, sometimes on the highway which was pretty scary, and it not start back up in neutral. The car would then start back up a few minutes later. I don't usually like to pay the dealer repair prices, but on a safety problem like this, i wanted it fixed right & took it to Pontiac, they determined it was the crank sensor. Anyway, i assumed both problems were connected to it. Well i got the car back and there was the hard start still, but the engine stall was gone! That was when i called him explaining the hard start and he said try a regulator... it worked! BTW, I also had the dreaded upper manifold problem about 20k ago, now im thinking about the 180 stat. Is the replacement upper from Pontiac reinforced or redesigned? anyone know?
let us know how it goes with your hard start!
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,408
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From: Robbinsdale, MN
Hey srgetz. Just pulled this thread up to get the part number to order the Regulator because we just got our first frost. Time to make sure she starts because I'm a freeze baby and like a nice warm car. 
I'll let y'all know in a couple weeks how it turns out.
I'll let y'all know in a couple weeks how it turns out.
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Certified Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,408
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From: Robbinsdale, MN
Well, forty-one and a quarter later, and the part is on its way.
And so are these...
UPS Tracking:
Should get 'em on Friday! Woo Hoo!!
And so are these...
UPS Tracking:
Status: In Transit
[ On-Time ]
Scheduled Delivery: Oct 3, 2003
Shipped to: MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US
Shipped or Billed on: Sep 30, 2003
Tracking Number: 1Z 789 574 12 4490 956 2
Service Type: 3 DAY SELECT
Weight: 1.30 Lbs
Package Progress:
Date Time Location Activity
Oct 1, 2003 12:39 A.M. ONTARIO, CA, US ARRIVAL SCAN
Sep 30, 2003 11:21 P.M. SYLMAR, CA, US DEPARTURE SCAN
9:02 P.M. SYLMAR, CA, US ORIGIN SCAN
7:55 P.M. US BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED
[ On-Time ]
Scheduled Delivery: Oct 3, 2003
Shipped to: MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US
Shipped or Billed on: Sep 30, 2003
Tracking Number: 1Z 789 574 12 4490 956 2
Service Type: 3 DAY SELECT
Weight: 1.30 Lbs
Package Progress:
Date Time Location Activity
Oct 1, 2003 12:39 A.M. ONTARIO, CA, US ARRIVAL SCAN
Sep 30, 2003 11:21 P.M. SYLMAR, CA, US DEPARTURE SCAN
9:02 P.M. SYLMAR, CA, US ORIGIN SCAN
7:55 P.M. US BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,408
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From: Robbinsdale, MN
Well, it took 3 days to get here, but it was worth the wait. Starts first time, everytime so far! A great big "Woo Hoo" and a heartfelt "Thank You" to the club once again!
Bring it on Jack Frost! I'm ready for ya!!
Bring it on Jack Frost! I'm ready for ya!!
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,408
Likes: 1
From: Robbinsdale, MN
One tip for anyone else that may need to do this, though. Buy the 
pliers made for those clip rings. It'* pretty hard to get the thing in it'* place with a pair of screwdrivers!! That was the hardest part of the job!!
pliers made for those clip rings. It'* pretty hard to get the thing in it'* place with a pair of screwdrivers!! That was the hardest part of the job!!
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