start up issues

**'00T/A** · 10-27-2007, 11:23 AM

so i just got my new trans am, ended up with a 2001 ws6 6 speed, since i got it it has been having some rough starts, it hardly ever cranks on the first turn no matter how long i let it churn, but then it usually starts up on the second turn but its rough, would hp tuners be able to diagnose the problem? if so ill make my order right now, thanks for any help or suggestions...and if you think you might know what it is feel free to chime in

**mrr23** · 10-27-2007, 02:00 PM

if it's something that can be monitored, maybe. almost sounds like the fuel pump isn't priming up far enough for the first kick over. do this. turn the key to the on position, but do not start it. when you hear the fuel pump stop, turn the key off. then turn the key back on and let the pump prime again. when it stops, then start it and see if it fires right up.

also, it could be time for plugs and wires, along with a fuel filter. maybe it just needs a good tune up.

**'00T/A** · 10-28-2007, 09:08 AM

yea i was thinking tune up and see if that helps, ive heard changing the plugs is a bitch though, never done it on these cars

**mrr23** · 10-28-2007, 02:48 PM

plugs take about 1-1.5 hours.

**'00T/A** · 10-28-2007, 03:10 PM

dang ive done what you suggested a couple of times now and its started up without trouble, good call man

whats my next step? new fuel pump?

**0rion** · 10-29-2007, 12:38 AM

yep, that's a sign the fuel pump is on it's way out. Actually, I'm not sure if that's the pump or the regulator. It's all one module but you can change out just the fuel pump with a racetronix kit unless it's the regulator in which case just swapping the pump does you no good.

**'00T/A** · 10-29-2007, 04:12 AM

any way to tell which one needs to go?

**0rion** · 10-29-2007, 10:17 AM

I would probably put a fuel gauge on the rail and turn the key twice like you've been doing to get the pressure up at the rail and see if the pressure bleeds off. If it starts bleeding down then that'd make me think it's the regulator. I would probably lean towards the pump itself but honestly I don't know.

**'00T/A** · 10-29-2007, 11:58 AM

hmmm...ill see what i can do, thanks for the help man

**mrr23** · 10-29-2007, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by '00T/A

dang ive done what you suggested a couple of times now and its started up without trouble, good call man

whats my next step? new fuel pump?

well first. replace the fuel filter and see what happens. cheap and easy try.

**'00T/A** · 10-30-2007, 04:12 AM

dang i just happend to pick one up last night for no particular reason while at pepboys, glad i did...thanks ill do that this afternoon and see how it goes

**Frost** · 10-30-2007, 03:46 PM

it's almost surely the pump, I have seen them fail like this a half dozen times or more. There really isn't anything to go bad in the factory regulator, it's like a disc and an orifice. 98s maybe different as they don't use a bucket; so I'm not sure.

**'00T/A** · 10-30-2007, 06:32 PM

will it eventually go out all together?

**Frost** · 10-30-2007, 09:21 PM

Yeah it will, and probably sooner than later. If you drive it regularly, it will almost certainly happen at some inoppurtune time

**astyles** · 10-30-2007, 10:10 PM

damn im glad i saw this mine is exactly the same

**0rion** · 10-31-2007, 01:34 AM

if it's the pump it'd be cheaper to swap out a racetronix kit. Check out Harris Speed Works or someone for that kit. There would be a little more work involved but the instructions that come with the kit are awesome. Just something to think about.

**'00T/A** · 10-31-2007, 04:13 AM

http://www.racetronix.com/RX-F99-FPKG-2.html heres the site, should i go for just the pump? is there any reason to get the wiring harness or any of the the other packages like the performance one?