2003 Chevy Malibu starting problems?

[Tyler h]

I recently changed the motor in my girlfirends car( 2003 chevy malibu, 3.1 engine) and now in the mornings or after the car has set for a while, it does want to start... It just will set there a crank like it wants to start. If you wait for the fuel pump to stop running then it will start right up however sometimes you have to turn the key off and on several times to get the pump to kick on. A local garage says that is an electrical problem but they arent sure what it is and have went through it several times. Also every now and then the radio, AC and dash will go out even when I do get it to run.
Recently had the battery, starter and alternator test. They are good. the fuel pump and filter have been changed. Any ideas why the fuel pump only kicks on every now and then? I know this is my starting problem. This car is confusing me!!!

 

[helpful bob]

Check the ground for the fuel pump relay and the relay's pins and socket they could be faulty or cooroded or dirty etc plus the harness or ground going to the pump might be faulty.

I wonder if that vehicle has ever had it's charging system and over all ground connections fully cleaned, plus if the main power junction or fuse box has corrosion or rust.One system could be draining the power and the low current levels could be what is causing the radio etc circuit to fail or act up.

I'd forsure try another fuel relay in that vehicle bec it could be internally faulty or slightly burnt or worn.Plus if the car was ever in any accidents a wiring harness could be internally damaged or pinched bec sometimes these harness's are really tight naturally and once in a collision they act up due to wiring damages.

I'd be double checking all and any plug in connectors and connections too on it but again be sure you clean one by one the power junction connections, battery , starter , alternator , engine block grounds and all ground junctions and really make sure their really cleaned well before reconnecting them back up.Be sure not just the studs the wire connectors and even the nuts and bolts are cleaned with a wire brush sandpaper , file etc and always brush off any sand later.

Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way don't forget to check the main wiring for rust or corrosion too bec one could be internall rotted or corroded.

 

[chris]

You say that the car is hard to start after it has been sitting. To me, it sounds like you have a loose fuel line connection after you replaced the engine. Causing the fuel to drain back, or out of the line. The reason why the car starts after you crank it for a while, or leave the ign. on, is that the pump is re-pressurizing the fuel line, and replacing the void of fuel. As far as the radio, and dash light's, I would go through, and check out the wiring harness. It sounds like you have a bad connection at one of your harness connectors, or maybe a pinched or wire that's ready to break. (A wire could have been bumped when the engine was changed.). Good Luck!