Stumped by Saturn Aura Green Line starting issue

[CRAM1986]

Hi there. First time poster here. My dad gave us his 2008 Saturn Aura Green Line a few years ago when he moved to the UK. It's been fine - a few issues here and there - but generally worked fine.

That was up until about two months ago when the car started having problems starting. It's fine the first time we start the car any day - no problems whatever.

But when we start the car again later in the day - at the grocery store, in the parking lot, coming back from a restaurant, etc, it cranks, but won't start unless we pump the gas pedal. When the engine starts, the car runs totally fine.

It's been in and out of the shop trying to get it fixed. The fuel injection was replaced and that seemed to fix it for a week, but the issue came back. Then some of the sensors were replaced after they checked the computer outputs - again, fine for a week afterwards, but then the issue returned.

As it stands, the shop is pretty stumped and I'm out of ideas too. The shop has said it might be the PCM which may need replacing and reprogramming, but that'll be expensive. Just wondered if anyone else has encountered any issues like this, and if so, what advice they may have?

Thanks!

[fdryer]

Mileage, maintenance performed, parts replaced? EFI engines require fuel pressure. What's fuel pressure? Fuel filter ever replaced? Spark plugs replaced? The repair shop should have these items as part of diagnostics since they're now at a loss. Perhaps it's time to look for a new repair shop, possibly more experienced.

There's a GM forum with many owners having major issues with 2.4L engines. I've listed only the basic items to check. Major issue; timing chain and oil lubrication are discussed in the GM forum.

[imaddicted2u]

If the shop hasn't done so, it would be worth measuring the battery voltage while the engine is cranking. The voltage dipping too low can cause all kinds of oddball hard to start issues.
Check/cleanup ground G107 as detailed in the following thread. It grounds the ECM, mass air flow sensor, intake air temp sensor, and intake manifold tuning solenoid. Along with the Transmission control module. Any of the individual wires on that ground lug that develops a high resistance or intermittent joint could cause various starting issues.
https://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sh...ighlight=start

[CRAM1986]

Thanks for the advice. It's done just over 90k miles. Since we've had it, I've taken it for regular services. I had been going to a local general garage nearby, but then took it to a hybrid specialist in our neighbourhood. They've tried various things to get it fixed, but now recommend we take it to the local GM service center as they believe the PCM needs to be reset as the sensors keep on giving out various readings whenever the car starts. They've already replaced a few sensors thinking that might be the issue because the displays seemed out of line, but given the variance of the readings, they now think it's the PCM.