1999 Grand Am GT cranks no start

Asked by Ian Dec 01, 2023 at 08:43 PM about the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am 4 Dr GT Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT that shut off randomly while driving, was filled to
full shortly before shutoff. Spark at each plug/ignition coil. Fuel pump primes
audibly and i got splashed a little while testing spark on one of the plugs so I
believe the engine is getting fuel. Fuel relay is good. Saw online that an ac
fuse can cause problems but all fuses test and look good. Also saw online
that security system can cause problems and the security light on the dash is
solid(people who have this issue typically have a flashing security light), tried
to reset by leaving in ACC position for ten minutes, turned off, turned back to
ACC for ten minutes, turned off, and tried to start again to no avail. OBDII
reading shows no stored codes and the MAF is reading flow, RPM on the
dash is still but OBDII shows rpm info going to the ECM. The car sounds like
its on the verge of starting when at 5% throttle. Starting fluid in the airbox
intake has no effect. Running out of Ideas and don't have the money to
shotgun parts without certainty that it will fix the problem.

310,565

Gene answered about a year ago

Do the basics first, compression test, fuel delivery, spark/timing. These are known to have ignition module problems also.

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Ian answered about a year ago

The OBDII reader I have was reading timing advance during testing, is it normal for the reading to bounce around 10-20 degrees during cranking? I read that rpm info comes from the crank sensor, does that mean its the cam sensor or ignition module? I intend to spend the $15 dollars or so it takes for a cam sensor and trying that and renting a fuel pressure guage and I'll get back on it.

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157,855

James answered about a year ago

Maybe you have too much fuel (flooded). Hold the accelerator pedal to the floor while you crank the engine. This puts the computer in clear flood mode. It's possible that the purge valve for the EVAP system is stuck open and pulling gasoline from the tank to the engine when it shouldn't be. This will usually cause hard starting immediately after a gas fill up. BTW, don't waste your time on the magical security system resets you read about online. Those procedures are part of a specific repair and do not work in any other situation!! Check your spark plugs too. Are they wet with gasoline? If so, it's flooded. The only way to fix the security system problem is to visit your local GM Dealer or possibly a locksmith. Do NOT let anyone else play around with it!! Hope that helps! Jim

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Ian answered about a year ago

UPDATE: I bought and installed a camshaft position sensor, went to start it after installation and it started. Idled roughly for about 30 seconds when it shutoff and resumed previous crank no start behavior. I think the car siting for a week did more than the cam sensor. Rented a fuel pressure tester and am getting 41-45 psi after priming and during cranking. Parts store employee theorized that the fuel filter could be partly clogged. I also noticed that when I was trying to start it that when I held the throttle down all the way the car seemed to want to start but then failed to. Any help appretiated.

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310,565

Gene answered about a year ago

Still sounds like an ignition module.

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Ian answered about a year ago

Is there a way to verify the ignition control module? The cheapest I can find will cost a pretty penny. If not I'll try it anyway.

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310,565

Gene answered about a year ago

Run it until failure and see if you get any spark at a spark plug, no spark module is in failure.

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1999 Grand Am GT cranks no start

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