I would like to say Hello first of all. Hello!

I have a 1998 Bonneville SLE "Gold Edition" with the 3.8 V6 Series II engine and have trouble starting this car all the time. When the key is turned the car acts like it is going to start, but just turns over, almost like the starter is going bad. I do not think this is the case though...If I just jog the key to engage the starter, it starts right up...I have heard that this is a known issue in these Bonnevilles and heard that there is an easy fix to this problem but cannot find anyone that knows what it is, that is where I hope that someone here might have an idea...

The other day my wife had the car, it sputtered a bit on the highway going 60mph, she floored it and it stopped, at the next stop sign it started to die, she took off and it was running rough, she parked it at work (on X-mas Eve Day mind you) went out to start it again about 2 hours later and it was dead. Again turns over fine but will not start at all now. We trailered it home 40 miles and it is sitting in my garage. I have good spark, the fuel pump runs when the key is turned, I have replaced the fuel filter, and have replaced the ignition coil...calling a garage next...I surrender!

Other than that this is a great car, just a little embarrassing when you are sitting in a public lot with a nice car and the thing won't start...

thanks in advance for any help! :?

Almost sounds like a VATS glitch preventing it from starting in the first part of the story....

i agree, sounds VATS related maybe try cleaning off your resistor pellet on your key? (would rubbing alcohol work?)

I agree with Matt. I had this problem with mine too, changed the key and it hasn't done it since. Worth a try.

ken

Do they still have those keys in 98??

ken

Yup. Mine'* disabled due to the remote starter, but I have a "Pellet"

heres MY reasoning behind this, im sure some of the gearheads will chime in here.... dirty or bad pellet would cause the hard to start condition it seems, also it cvould be a problem in the ignition tumbler/switch area itself..... which is why "jogging" the key would make it start.. also if the connection between the pellet and the car'* VATS system broke, it would cause the sputtering, or so it seems.. isnt there a "grace" period before car shutdown if the vats system detects somethign wrong?

Hmmm, hydro lock? Your symptoms sound like the ones I had when my upper intake went pfffft! Is the Check Engine light on? The day before I was getting a lot of misfiring and the coolant hose to the engine was flat. The next morning it would crank but not start. The upper intake is a frequent problem with the non supercharged engines.
Welcome to the club, just wish it was under better circumstances. :?

Always start simple. Move the positive or negative battery cable.

It happens to the best.

Ty

sure sure, try to show us up i'd go w/ what he said before i took my own advice