I own a 1995 Camaro 3.4L automatic and I've been having starting problems. Seems to only happen when she's starting cold. I have to hold the ignition to 10 sec and she'll almost kick up towards the end but then I'll let her sit for 10-20 sec then start again and then she'll still have a bit of a problem starting.

About six months ago I took off the muffler and ran some pipe out the back to make her loud so theres only a cat (the ceramics are broke on the inside of the cat : / ) for the exhaust. Friends say its cause theres no backpressure and thats the reason to the starting issues. I dont see how that could effect it but I'm not a mechanic. I changed her spark plugs two weeks ago which helped run better when she is running but didnt effect the starting problem. I change her oil regularly too.

I called my dad and he thinks it might be the fuel pump. Any ideas of what it might be and/or someone thats had this problem before that could help would be really apperciated.

Thanks ahead of time! =)

 

Oh and when I have the car ideling with radio on, lights, and radar the voltage is at the borderline red on my meter. I dunno what the volt is but its above the 8 mark.

 

If it runs, period, then I'd assume the fuel pump is not to suspect. Pay attention the next time you turn your key to the on position. You should hear a momentary whirr, which will be the fuel pump priming and pressurizing the system. If you heard that, begin to think towards electronics. If your volts are reading at roughly 8, I'd suspect a pretty large voltage drop. That, or the charging system is not doing i's job. Make sure the serpentine belt is tight, is not binding, and is not worn. I'd also check the alternator for the correct current output. It's possible, but less likely, that specific sensors (crankshaft position, camshaft position, etc.) are failing, and should only be looked upon if nothing else proves to be faulty.

Hope this helps.

 

Wow, thanks! Yea, after shes on theres no problems at all regarding lack of acceleration or hesitation due to lack of fuel. So I really don't think thats it. I had the alternator replace about two months ago also. By the way, shes not at 8 volts, she just touches the red at load and ideling...once I give it gas or start to drive, it gets to 15 or so volts...

 

have your battery tested, probably wouldnt hurt to have the alternator as well. good luck

 

Sounds like maybe your battery is on its last legs? Have you tested it lately?

 

Nope, sure havn't. Autozone does free tests on alt and batt, right?

I went to autozone, they checked the battery and said it was faulty. ok, np. I went home, swapped in a new one I had just got for my boat and still the same problems.

Dunno if the guy there was just trying to sell me a battery or not but thats now not the problem. I do hear the fuel system pressurize though. So Its not the pump...

Maybe coilpacks are/or wirings...Dunno...

 

I think I've fixed it. The replacement battery I put in was just a little low on power. I drove for about 2 hours last night so the alt really got to set the battery straight.

Thanks for everyone's help and ideas as to what it was! =)

I was kinda hoping to just move up to the supercharger starters they use it funnycar drag racing...

I get gas~> pop hood and trunk ~> grab starter from trunk ~> lift hood and set starter ~> crank car

I'd bet that alone would turn many heads, haha.