1992 Cutlass Supreme Convertible 3.1 L - Starting Problems

[92CSC]

Looking for assistance on a starting problem with 1992 3.1 L vert. It doesn't start on the first turn anymore. It was taking two or three turns a month ago, now it is up to four or five turns to start the first time each day. If it doesn't sit too long, it starts first time every time. After sitting several hours or overnight, it wouldn't start first try. I suspect a fuel issue but don't know where to start? fuel pump? filter? lines?

 

9 Sep 11 - Just a note to say that the starting problem was the fuel pump relay. I had replaced it a couple of years ago with a non-OEM part. Decided to try and swap it with one of the two fan relays and the car starts first time every time now. Reading the following information on such a malfunction describes it exactly. I have worked on my own cars for a while but am far from knowledgeable in all areas. Given way the oil pressure switch cuts in if the relay is not working, I now understand why the car would always start...eventually after cranking multiple times:

 

• If engine takes a long time to crank up, it probably is due to a bad fuel pump relay. This is because the fuel pump relay isn't turning on the fuel pump during the start cycle. The engine eventually will start, but not until the oil pressure builds up and the oil pressure switch kicks in to power up the fuel pump. The oil pressure switch acts as a backup to the fuel pump relay.
  Another way you can tell the fuel pump relay is bad is when you don't hear the fuel pump run for a couple of second when you turn the key in the ignition forward to start the car.
   
   
  

Edited September 10, 2011 by 92CSC
Found solution to starting problem

[spiderw31]

That sounds as thought here is little fuel pressure when you go to start it; like the pressure is bleeding off to fast after you shut down the car. Try this: next time you go to start the car, turn the key to the on position, but don't crank it. You should hear the fuel pump whine for a few seconds as it builds pressure. Once the sound of the pump stops, then try starting the car and see if that makes a difference. If it does, then you need to test the fuel pressure and see how fast it drops after shutting the car down.