Hard starting..sometimes

[SteveGT1]

Guys once in about every 10 starts my car is hesitant and I need to crack it over again. Then when it starts if makes a weird noise right after it cranks over...any ideas? Its an 01 GT

[01gt1]

Hey yeah I have the same problem only on cold starts it does it only once and a while. When I go out and start it in the winter sometime it will make that sound as if you cranked the key for too long then it truns over.. I took it into the dealership and just my luck it didn't do it for them! There damm lucky. I might have to get a new starter next year I Guess.. Time to open the bank again:(. Anyways if you could discribe your problem more or something, I am curious if it is the same problem as mine, because mine too is a 01 GT1

- Jason

[BMOBYLE]

Is there a whine or a grinding type noise present after it starts.
Thats usually the indication of the bendix of the starter motor on its way out.

Also there might be a pcm reprogram update for your vehicle.
Do a search for there is a web site that you just type your VIN# in and it spits out info on what your due for.

Maybe SETH (ICEMAN) has that info. I believe I got the web addy from him before.

[01gt1]

Yeah it's exactly what your trying to discribe.. I am having a hard time finding the words to discribe it but yeah I think it sounds similar to what your saying.

[SteveGT1]

Yep, we definitly have the same problem. Its been doing it on and off for about 4 months now, it drives me nuts. I don't follow the motto "if its not broken don't fix it", if the starter is on its way out I would rather fix it now and avoid being broke down somewhere. I have waited this long because if its not "on the way out" then I will be Pis*ing money away. Great, now I have to repleace the strut mount and the starter, not cool.Let me know what you do with yours...New or a rebuild?

01gt1, where did you buy the GA? I bought mine at Roy Foss...just curious.

[Blackgt1]

Whoe I've got a 2001 gt1 too, SAME problem. Tough to start sometimes I have to push the gas a little to get it started, and the dealer just goes "huh, how about that." Im still on warantee until Feb though, seems to be worse when its a little cold.

[KevinT]

I think I figured this one out recently. I have a 2000 SE and it would hesitate to start. One day, I almost started and then I let go of the key. When I turned the key again, it wouldn't start. It took me about 10 mins to get it started after that. It just kept cranking, but no fire. Here's my advice: If you turn your key to the run position, you will hear your fuel pump kick on (it's a real quiet whine and you'll have to turn your radio down to hear it). Once it's done priming itself, then try to start it. It should start right up with no hesitation at all. I've been doing it like this for about a month now and it's been great ever since.

[SteveGT1]

The fuel pump when working correctly, holds enough pressure that when the car is cranked the car should recieve the fuel Immediately. The noise my car makes is definitly coming from the starter. If my car was under warrenty I would kick up a huge fuss. I have to say my 00 Z24 never had half of the problems as my 01 GA. The simple fact is that we are all having the same problems, we make up such a small portion of GA owners...that tells me alot about GM and thier quality.:mad:

[01gt1]

SteveGT I think I am going to go the " New " route.. I don't want it rebuilt, I might aswell get a new one. I am going to waqit till next year before I get one though. In warm startups it's fine and KevinT I know what you mean when you put it on the On the Run position yo get some noise from under the car. I bought my GA at Steve Shear Pontiac,Buick and GMC.

[nivek98]

I have noticed a big difference from my 01 gagt and my girlfriends 02 gagt's ignition system. my ignition messes up all the time in my 01 seems like it wont always turn over on the first try... but always on the second. but even then it sometimes makes a horrible clunking sound after firing up and letting go of the key. I think GM knows of a problem and replaced the ignition they used since 2001. the 2002 and newer ga's have a hesitation when you go to start the car... seems much better than mine.

[01gt1]

I notice that sometimes too.. Sometimes I even hold it for a couple seconds and let it try to start and it still doesn't.. but it doesn't bother me much only when I have ricers around it ****es me off

[MeNoKnow]

My car does it as well, 01 SE. Told the dealer about it but since it didnt do it for them they said it was fine. So far, Im just ignoring it. But it is embarassing a time when Im trying to start it up and all I get is this loud, choking sound.