starting problem:( Help!

[97firebird]

By firebird has a problem of cranking for atleast 3-5 seconds before it starts up cold. It will start fine when it is warm. Sometimes I will turn the car to "on" for a few seconds before I start the car, but doesn't seem to solve the problem much. Sometimes that car won't start at all and i have it wait a few seconds and start it again. Other times when it starts it will sputter at a very low rpm and gradually work its way up to idle. I was wondering if anyone has had the same problem and knows what I can do to fix it! THanks guys.

[Injuneer]

Could be any one of several problems.... a common one is failure of the check valve that is built into the fuel pump. This allows the fuel pressure to bleed down rapidly, and with the LT1 pump cutting off after about 2-seconds of operation, until the engine starts, it can extend starting time. A similar problem would be a leak in the fuel pressure regulator, or leaky injectors.

Put a fuel pressure gauge on it and check the fuel pressure. Turn the key on, but don't start the engine. See how fast the fuel pressure drops.... it should take hours, not "seconds".

If the pressure holds OK, look for other problems. A faulty coolant temp sensor (the one in the water pump housing that feeds the PCM, not the one in the head that feeds the gauge) could cause the hard start/sputter problem.

[FormulaSlickG94]

This problem sounds exactly like the problem that I've been having on my 94 Formula, then sometimes when it does start the car revs all the way up to like 2000 rpms and slowly drops back down. I've had the fuel pressure checked and supposedly it was ok. I've gotten new injectors, coil, plugs, wires, fuel filter, same results. I'm getting to the point where I'm just going to start replacing everything one at a time until it is fixed...I'm thinking it may be my starter now.