lumina start up problem

[talon2swords]

This is a 99 Lumina, 3.1L.

I've had the car for a couple years. Car came from Ohio or someplace up North. They didn't take very good care of ignition system: salt, etc. had gotten under the spark plug boots and rusted the ignition coil contacts a little on the module.

I cleaned that up best I could, replaced wires, new plugs etc. Also put on a new fuel filter.

Car runs ok, only problem is sometime it is hard to start (crank) up on the first or second try. The engines stumbles and it acts like it is flooded, or maybe not getting enough gas (?). On the third try the engine finally cranks up and runs fine...no hesitation or anything. Sometimes I hold the gas pedal down a quarter way and that seems to help.

I don't need to fix this problem to use the car, but it is kinda annoying. Sometimes it cranks up the first try like its supposed to (I have a 97 Lumina, and it cranks up fast-first try). It doesn't seem to matter if it is cold or hot, but mostly it cranks up better when warm.

I am going to start trying to find the source of the problem, but does any here have any ideas first? thanks.

[robertisaar]

possibly a weak/bad battery/grounds/cables/starter

[talon2swords]

I believe I checked all that stuff and it seemed to be ok. I'm thinking a few of the coil packs may not be producing a good spark, depending on the position of the pistons, etc. on start up. But I don't know.

I guess I'll have to test them.

[robertisaar]

stick the 97 parts on the 99 one by one, and you'll find your problem!