Well, my car has been starting really really hard lately. I adjusted the IAC to what the manual says, and that made it a little better. But, it still takes 2-3 tries of cranking the engine for about 4-5 seconds. So I was thinking that I would just replace my IAC valve. My question is, when I get a new IAC valve it is preadjusted and I can pop it in, or do I have to set it to the correct length myself? Please help

 

try this link, it should have what you need.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/tpimod2.shtml

have you checked your fuel pressure and spark?

 

Make sure the length between the pindle and the IAC gasket is no longer than 1 inch 1/8. When you buy the new valve it should have instructions on installation I recently just replace mine.

 

In my book that would be spark or fuel.

Truely sounds like the injectors are leaking down over night.

 

Might be the fuel pump relay. At key on (don't crank) listen for the fuel pump whining. Should run for 2 secs then stop until you crnak. If not then the relay needs checking.

Before you dismiss this the cranking brings up the oil pressure which turns on the fuel pump via the oil pressure switch, it then starts.

RBob.

 

if cranking the engine brings up pressure and turns the pump on, then why do we hear it at key "on" as soon as we turn the key? there's no pressure then....

 

Uhh, the ECM turns teh fuel pump on for 2 secs at key on through the fuel pump relay? Else it won't start until it has been cranked enough to get some oil pressure. Just like the original poster stated.

RBob.

 

Yep, that's the "fuel pump safety switch". It gives power to the fuel pump when it sees oil pressure, so if the relay dies, the car will still start.

The safety switch does NOT kill the engine if oil pressure drops to zero.

I think by "safety", GM meant "safety of the driver if the fuel pump relay dies when the car merges onto a 70mph interstate highway in front of a fully loaded tractor trailer."

 

So... you think it might be the fuel pump relay circuit. I do hear it pumping for about 2 seconds before when I turn the key to the on position and then it stops. But, it is still hard to start and takes a couple tries. On about the 2nd or 3rd try the oil pressure goes up and then about 2 seconds after that the car will start.

If it is leaky injectors how do I fix that. Just put new O-ring seals on the injectors and pop em back in. (I know its more involved than that).

 

Not the fuel pump relay as the pump comes on for 2 secs at key on.

How does it run? Good power? Idle OK? Fuel mileage? Difficult to start both hot & cold? Did this difficult starting happen suddenly or gradually?

And last but not least, TomP's tuneup been done?

RBob.

 

Yes, the tune up has been done. Once it starts it runs good, I get good power(well, for a V6 anyway), it idles good around 600-700 rpm's. It is hard to start both hot and cold. Like if I drive for a while and get it up to operating temp. then stop somewhere and shut it off for like ten minutes it is hard to start. But sometimes it will start right up when it is still warm. This problem has been there since I got it, but lately it has gotten worse.