97 buick regal cranking issue

[jnrsk]

Originally my 97 Buick [purchased in 06] started instantly in any temperature.

Then one day about 2 years ago it no longer started instantly. Instead I would need to turn the key 3 times, each time letting the starter crank a few seconds, before it would finally start.

Now I have learned to turn the key to the "on" position 3 to 4 times, letting the fuel pump run each time, then it will start on the first try after cranking a few seconds.

Right before, or shortly after the cranking issue began [we can't remember now], we replaced the fuel pump.

Recently in an effort to fix a stalling issue, we cleaned the mass air flow sensor, replaced the throttle body gasket, a purge valve, the EGR valve, a fuel pump relay, an ignition control module and fixed a vacuum leak by replacing the tube that runs from the EGR valve to the lower intake manifold. Also replaced the igntion switch because it was bad. In the end we replaced the crankshaft positioning sensor which finally fixed the stalling issue.

NOW, I am still getting a "service engine soon" light intermittantly. It comes on for a few days and is then off for a few days. The code reads System too lean, Bank 1. The car doesn't stall anymore and seems to run fine with the exception of one instance when I kicked it down at about 50 mph and it bogged and sputtered and the tach bounced all over the place.

Would love to solve the cranking issue and the "service engine soon" issue.

 

[dcraig1000]

Im wondering if the bank 1 O2 sensor is acting up, or its just doing its job telling you the car is running lean, which means you're not getting enough air into the intake manifold through the cylinder head and into the cylinders. try running a can of sea foam through the system by removing the big vacuum line from the brake booster, pouring half the can into the line with the car running(it will be necessary to have someone in the vehicle to keep it running). once you pour half the can in, turn the car off. let it sit for 15-20 minutes. then start the car back up and blow all that carbon build up out the exhaust. it makes for quite the smoke show.

 

[92sub]

A lean bank code could be so many things. I would make sure the correct AC DELCO PCV valve is installed (I can't stress enuf that it needs to be a GM/AC Delco part). If ok recheck for vacuum leaks.

For the starting, it certainly sounds like your bleeding down fuel pressure after you shut down. Fuel pressure is held by two items, the fuel pump on one end and the fuel pressure regulator on the other. You really need to put a pressure gauge on the system and verify what the pressure is doing. If it's bleeding down and you have rubber fuel lines you can pinch off one side and see if it holds when pinched.

You could also have a fuel injector that leaks but usually that would result in a rich code and really poor running at start up until the excess fuel burns off. Doesn't sound like you have any symptoms of a bad injector.

 

[jnrsk]

A lean bank code could be so many things. I would make sure the correct AC DELCO PCV valve is installed (I can't stress enuf that it needs to be a GM/AC Delco part). If ok recheck for vacuum leaks.

For the starting, it certainly sounds like your bleeding down fuel pressure after you shut down. Fuel pressure is held by two items, the fuel pump on one end and the fuel pressure regulator on the other. You really need to put a pressure gauge on the system and verify what the pressure is doing. If it's bleeding down and you have rubber fuel lines you can pinch off one side and see if it holds when pinched.

You could also have a fuel injector that leaks but usually that would result in a rich code and really poor running at start up until the excess fuel burns off. Doesn't sound like you have any symptoms of a bad injector.

Thanks! Sounds like great advice.
Will check the PCV valve, fuel pressure and for any more vacuum leaks.


Also in my original post I said we replaced the "fuel pump" but I should have said "fuel filter."

Thanks again!