89 GMC Jimmy Hard to Start Sometimes

[redstinger]

Just drove it 200 mi to grandmas for Thksgiving. Fri night it took an unusually look time cranking to start. Sat drove it back home 200 miles no problems. Today at the groc store, cranked 3 times for about 10 sec each, no start. Went in bought some starting fluid, sprayed some in, cranked again 7 sec, no start. Sprayed a few more squirts, cranked for about 5 sec, started right up, ran great. It has restarted 3 times (albeit it takes about 5 sec to start each time). Any ideas? Trucks stock except for perf chip, magnaflow cat and muffler.

 

[4X4HIGH]

First thing i would suspect is a bad fuel pump relay. When the fuel pump relay fails it will take longer for the engine to start as the backup oil pressure switch comes into play and needs to see 5psi of oil pressure before allowing the fuel pump to work.

 

[redstinger]

the fp relay is clicking when you turn the key, and I hear the fuel pump priming. Any other ideas?

 

[4X4HIGH]

the fp relay is clicking when you turn the key, and I hear the fuel pump priming. Any other ideas?

Then that's not your problem. Next i would look for leaking injectors after the engine is shut off. Also check the spray pattern when the engine is running (should be a nice conical spray pattern).

 

[redstinger]

Won't start this morning. So its not just a warm/hot start situation.

When I open throttle valves after cranking several times, some gas is pooled in the intake.

 

[cegusman]

Ignition module in the distributor.

 

[redstinger]

Update!! While checking wiring around dist/coil area I noticed that coil wire nuts were only finger tight. tightened them up, truck started right up.

Not sure if I just got lucky and the problem still exists, but it has started after cranking for about 3 sec everytime I've tried it today. Went ahead and did new cap,rotor,plugs while I had the tires deflated to work on it. We'll see if it continues to start for me! Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[redstinger]

Yesterday I got SES light. Light went off after restarting. Last night, went to grab a late night snack, slight missing/hesitation, but clears up quickly. Runs great today, no light, but scanned for codes, got code 44, lean exhaust. Might of gotten a bad batch of gas. Check maint records from prev owner, fuel pump replaced 3 yrs ago. I ordered FP gauge and fitting so I can check it.