since i had to take the roommates car to work today, i figured i would help him with this issue.... it has been happening to him so long, he is accustomed to it, and it doesnt even bug him... it bugged the crap out of me!!

98 regal GS, 198k on original everything

problem: start car, runs PERFECT for 2-5 seconds, and then dies instantly like you turned the key off, no sputtering at all. start car again, runs for 2-5 seconds again, and then shuts off right away... this happens usually 3 to 5 times every morning. then all of a sudden it will run perfect the entire rest of the drive. might i add it only happens when the engine is cold.

very odd


edit: car had a CEL since it was purchased over a year ago, MAF.. code was cleared and it kept coming back. but the starting issue was not a problem back then. it has gradually gotten worse to the point that is now.

after just typing that edit, that has to be the problem, but arent MAF'* expensive

theyre not that pricey at the yard, and when the maf was bad in my old bonneville it would do the exact same thing but it would also die when going into gear.

When the MAF went in my son'* '99 GP, the car wouldn't start at all. New/rebuilt ones can be expensive. He may want to go the junkyard route, or check with Boost and see if he has one.

Have you tried cleaning it yet? If it'* been a while it could be so coated with crap that it'* non-functional. Just a thought...

yes i did try cleaning it...

i might be able to give him out of my old TB when i get that back from billb

Check the coils!
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=33

If you don't have a meter you can swap coils from your Bonny.