2003 Vibe GT Hard to start
2003 Vibe GT Hard to start
I have an '03 GT with 196k miles (bought it new with 10 miles on it) and the only thing that's gone wrong so far is a power door lock switch, clutch and timing chain. Last weekend I went to start the car and it would not start at first. All the gauges lit up fine, radio came on, starter was cranking but car wouldn't start. Against my better judgement I floored the gas four or five times while cranking the engine and it finally started, ran rough for a few seconds then settled into a normal idle. Shut the car off, tried again and it started right up. Battery is about three years old and seems to have plenty of power, starter should be ok since it is cranking over. I drove the car today about 40 miles and it started and ran fine so the fuel pump should be ok otherwise it wouldn't go at all. Spark plugs were also replaced about a year ago with factory equivalents.Could it be something as simple as the fuel filter? I guess these cars don't have an inline filter, but a pick up screen in the fuel tank that can be accessed under the rear seats. I do have both shop manuals for the car but wanted an opinion here first before guessing at the problem. Next step is to put some fuel additive/injector cleaner in at the next fill up to see if it does it again, but that is the only time it's happened, and the fact that it started after goosing the gas leads me to believe either a dirty fuel filter, plugged fuel lines, dirty injectors, etc.Any suggestions much appreciated!Davedavehatch@embarqmail.com
Re: 2003 Vibe GT Hard to start (davehatch)
start with one bottle ofhttp://www.amazon.com/Chevron-...2893Orun that threw the full tankthen if it's still doing it, run another bottle.You can buy it at any autoparts storeThere was a TSB for hard starts for the 03-04, delt with the ecu. But if it was just a one time thing, I wouldn't worry to much unless it starts doing it a few times a week.
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star_deceiver
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Re: 2003 Vibe GT Hard to start (davehatch)
With your door open and quiet surroundings, turn the key to ON without starting it and listen for the fuel pump. It should be a quick quiet Whirr.Quote, originally posted by davehatch » I drove the car today about 40 miles and it started and ran fine so the fuel pump should be ok otherwise it wouldn't go at all. Don't be so sure... NEXT time it does this: Before you try to crank it again, reach under the car and BANG the fuel tank with your fist a couple of times then try to start it.I've had fuel pumps do this before... if it's loud or if a quick bang of the tank starts the pump then it's on its way out. Fortunatly you can easily access it from the back seat!!!
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Re: 2003 Vibe GT Hard to start (star_deceiver)
Good advice! I tried listening for the fuel pump whirr but it's hard to hear by myself with that annoying chime every time the key is turned to on....I'll have to have someone turn the key to on while I press my ear against the back seat lol. I bought a couple bottles of the techron cleaner and will run one through this weekend when I fill up next.Most reliable car I've ever had....feel like I should trade it off due to the miles but hate to since it's been so reliable.....Thanks again for all the suggestions! Will update the thread if I find anything out....