I got an 89 Firebird with a 2.8L engine....it has about 80k miles on it and it has a starting problem....I cant figure out what the exact problem is...I have recently done a tune up on the engine, I have changed the fuel pump, the relay and also the starter...No results...

The engine rotates for about 3 seconds, (then I stop trying) then when I try again the engine rotates for about again for about 3 seconds and finally starts ...it drives and shifts great....would like to just not have this "minor" problem....its really anoying

Once the car has been started and still hot...it starts right away again and again....but if it cools down we go through the "3 sec wait" again...when its really hot out it seems to start better and faster than in really cold weather

It has also flown the in the line fuse for the fuel pump a couple times (the one on the pasenger side fender)

Help me out with some ideas or opinions on how to fix this problem

 

Anyone?
Also would like to know how to tell if I need a catalytic converter and what it causes to the performance of the car...

 

Sounds like the 'cold start injector' isn't working. Could either be bad, or the ecm isn't firing it for some reason. I had a similir problem once, but it was a temp sensor and the ecm was thinking the car was hot. fan was running, no auto choke when cold, and SES light.

Anyway, cold start injector is my guess.

 

....thats exactly what happen to my car...ecm read a false hot...got a new ecm put in...runs and starts like new...no more problems.

Only other thing i can think of is do a leak down test on all your injectors...the fact that it only does this when its cold cancels this out but its worth the test at least. Your injectors might leak a little bit causing it to flood out slightly...and one more thing...dont go throwing parts at it...im glad you have stopped where you have and asked questions....i hate to see people just throw parts at there car

 

It might be the ECM but it does it when its hot outside too...just when cold its worse...When the car just got turned off...it starts right away always though...where would be the best place to get a new ecm? about how much $$$?