I'm stumped and mechanics herer too. Colder weather sets in. 2 years in a row now and towing bills. I'm flustered. My Bonneville always pops right off when starting in summer. As weather cools, the starting "feels more whimpy" even though cranking force is high. The car was in the service garage for 2 weeks last year with no problem found...started everytime for them. This Friday it was in the service gargage all day...different repair facility, different mechanics. The car started all day for them. Yesterday, it was 38 degrees. I went to start and it just cranked. The second attempt it started running like it was on 3 cyclinders and continued spitting & sputtering until it died. White smoke rolled out of the exhaust. The third attempt it started and the same thing. The third attempt it started, spit a bit, white smoked alot, then cleared and run smoothly. So I shut it off and stayed home fearing another $125 tow bill. Anyone else experiencing this?

I can't even sell it like this. Any ideas? Thank you!!!!!

Sarg

2 things you can check. You IAT, Intake Air temp sensor, and the ECT, engine coolant temp sensor.

Thank you Dan. I'll do that.

Regards,

Paul

If those two check out ok I would pull the IAC (Idle Air Control valve) and see if carbon build up has clogged the passage, I had similar problems until I cleaned the entire throttle body

Hey CRUNKFRUNK!!!

Thanks! You guys are gonna fix this problem for me I can tell!!!!

Another great idea there. If it'* still giving you trouble, unplug the MAF and try that. You will get a SES light, but that will clear once you plug the MAF back in. The engine might stumble a bit at first but then smooth right out.

Hi Dan,

Thank you again. I hope the suggestions you guys have provided fix my car. .

Paul

Good luck.

Hi Sarg-

Did you find out what it was? I have a 2000 SE with the EXACT same problem as you- and i can't figure this out! It only hapens when cold - goes away after warmup - hasn't happened since February.

Thanks in advance for your response - I am off to the garage to figure it out...

The garage could only find that a rubber boot that covers the throttle body was off from a quick shop oil change service performed a month ago. But putting back on correctly didn't fix it. The things Sarg and Dan suggested to check were checked, plus fuel pressure checked and all were okay. It'* cold now. The car will start most of the time, but not worth risking and freezing my buns off and paying a tow bill. So, its parked in the garage and I drive my other car. Very difficult to troubleshoot when it starts for the mechanics.