Guest williampierce Posted July 14, 2002 Share Posted July 14, 2002 I purchased my second Reatta - a 1989 with 81K miles - for my daughter who has been driving mine for the last six years. She is thrilled to death and loves the fact that she now has the touch screen and a sunroof. It is amazing that a 13 year old car can bring such joy to a 21 year old.<P>She has phoned me that the car takes three tries before starting if it has sat for more than a few hours. It always starts on the first turn of the ignition if it is warm, but takes 3 tries if not. Any suggestions?<P>After having had my 1st Reatta since 1993, I just found this site last week. It has been wonderful to read through all the questions and wonderful insight that follows. It has inspired me to fix up the first Reatta rather than scrap it. THANKS.<P>Bill Pierce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don B. Posted July 15, 2002 Share Posted July 15, 2002 This may be too tech/mechanical for her but these are my sugestions.<BR>First thought is that a fuel problem is the cause. Remember that fuel injection doesn't need to push the pedal to the floor to start.<P>1. Fuel filter getting dirty. <BR>2. Fuel pressure lost.<BR> Causes;<BR> A. Loose fuel line connection<BR> B. Loose fuel schrader valve on fuel rail<BR> C. Fuel pressure regulator bad<BR> D. Sticking fuel injector<P>The easiest fix maybe a couple cans of good fuel injector cleaners(Greased Lighting, Slick 50). This of course will only work for the fuel injector trouble. For the leaks have her run the car for a few minutes. Open the hood, shut off the car and sniff for gasoline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest williampierce Posted July 15, 2002 Share Posted July 15, 2002 Thank you for your thoughts. We'll try it out and I will let you know the results.<P>Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EDBS0 Posted July 16, 2002 Share Posted July 16, 2002 Hi Bill; Like your daughter even though I have not meet her. <BR> Don't even think of the tough stuff until you do the plugs. <P> My first recommendation would be to replace the plugs with ACDelco RAPIDFIRE Performance Spark Plug. Then still keeping it simple do sparkplug wires and air filter.<P>Am assuming that there are no codes???<P>see <A HREF="http://www.aaca.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002495" TARGET=_blank>http://www.aaca.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002495</A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 16, 2002 Share Posted July 16, 2002 Sounds like the fuel pump relay problem. After it sits for a while, the pressure bleeds off, but it takes a while and will start okay if only shut off for a short time. Does the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds each time you turn the key to the run position? If not, it may be the fuel pump relay on the firewall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Buick Mike Posted July 17, 2002 Share Posted July 17, 2002 If none of the above suggestions fixes your problem it's probably the coil pack. And as long as you're replacing the coil pack replace the ignition control module as well.<P>Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcams76 Posted July 18, 2002 Share Posted July 18, 2002 Let's see what happen's since I have the same problem and year car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcams76 Posted July 19, 2002 Share Posted July 19, 2002 Today my car started right up.<BR>I had driven it in two days, maybe it was already warm since it was after lunch and Atlanta has been very hot the past few days. I did turn the switch to on, but did not use the starter until the 'service soon' light went-off. But who wants to wait that long.<BR>All the mechanic's want the car overnight to find the problem.<BR>My good gas mileage is history, I am back to 17/18 with the a/c on in the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted July 19, 2002 Share Posted July 19, 2002 HAD SAME PROBLEM<BR>MY BUICK DEALER REPLACED SOMRTHING IN COMPUTER CALLED A PROM,<BR>MINE WAS A 1989 ALSO<BR>GOOD LUCK<BR>CHAS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 My car does just the opposite. It starts right up after it has been sitting for a couple of days. When I use it during the day, it almost always starts instantaneously on the second try. If I continue cranking on the first attempt, she'll eventually start but I do not like stressing the starter. <P>I hear the fuel pump come on before I hit the key.<P>Does the advice already provided also apply to my condition. Thanks, n Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wally888 Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 Noe. Had an 89 thay acted as your until I put some injector cleaner in her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 My 89 acted this way till I replaced the fuel pump relay. Someone already mentioned this item. Very easy to check. Open the hood. Turn off radio, A/C, anything that might make noise. With drivers door open, turn key to the on position. You should hear the fuel pump turn on for a few seconds. The sound will come from the rear, not the front. If you hear anything in the front, that is the brake pump turning on. It is easier to hear if you are in the garage. If you don't hear the sound, the relay is bad. Easy to replace and cost less than $20. Howard<p>[ 07-19-2002: Message edited by: Howard ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 Mine was a coil pak. Speak of the devil its starting up again. CRT picked it up after it was ideling abit and I was going through the service mode. The CRT will say that it detected an electrical problem. I hope its not a module. What does a module cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 Thanks guys, I really appreciate the assist. Will double check it is the pump and not the brake system plus I'll add some injector cleaner. best regards, noe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest williampierce Posted July 22, 2002 Share Posted July 22, 2002 FYI - I don't get my daughter's car back until mid-August when I can try some of the suggestions which have been made through numerous postings. I'll let you know what happens. Thank you very much for the input.<P>Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcams76 Posted July 22, 2002 Share Posted July 22, 2002 Second time now that I get in cold motor car and turn key on and wait for couple minutes. Turn key off and then I try starter and the car starts immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcams76 Posted July 23, 2002 Share Posted July 23, 2002 That was a mighty good guess Robert, since I purchased the car I only got the keyless alarm some months back and it is since not working properly. The local alarm shops state I need to have the dealer trouble shoot the problem. The programming steps work fine, but the handset will not lock/unlock the doors.<BR>Now for your winning lottery picks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcams76 Posted July 23, 2002 Share Posted July 23, 2002 I was trying to budget my money without going to the dealer, but I see my time is just about up. I guess they will be able to go on vacation soon and I will spend mine in front of the television. Dealer's smile when they see a old car pull up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EDBS0 Posted July 23, 2002 Share Posted July 23, 2002 IMO 17/18 in city with air is normal.<P>Sounds like your security system is acting up. Only a guess but could be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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