QuestionThis is from before:
My 1995 Buick Regal has the 3.8 fuel injected engine. It has always ran great and has only 60,000 miles on it. Recently it began to have starting problems. If it sits for several hours or over night it will crank for 10 - 20 seconds before it will start. Before, it always started instantly. After it does start it runs great...smooth and normal...power normal. If I am just running into a store or whatever for an hour or so it starts right up and runs normally but if it sits for many hours and especially over night the hard starting problem happens again. HELP! I just had my AC serviced and this starting problem began after I got the car back. I thought they might have bumped something or forgot to plug something back in but I can find nothing unusual.
NEW INFO:
OK I got a test gauge and changed the fuel filter. When I turn the key on, no pressure, no pump noise. After cranking for 15 - 20 sec the engine starts and runs fine. The pressure goes up to a steady 35#. When I shut the engine off the pressure goes to 42# and holds there. I haven't had a chance to check it after it sits for a while but it will probably bleed down to zero.
AnswerGreat info David,
The fuel pump has two circuits to supply power.
The relay, and also a backup circuit, which is an oil pressure switch.
As long as there is engine oil pressure, that switch supplies battery voltage directly to the pump.
Sounds like your relay isn't operating, and the long crank builds oil pressure, which then turns the pump on.
Check the relay first, which could be bad. But then you may need to check the relay operating circuitry, which includes the crank sensor, ECM, ignition switch, and a fusible link from the battery cable at the starter.
I doubt it is the fusible link, because I think the same fusible link that supplies the fuel pump relay, is the same one that supplies the oil pressure switch. it's that way on trucks.
But worth a check.
Van
