Fuel Related startup issues.

[atrain0007]

97 SL1 SOHC.

Im getting a problem after running the car for a while. It doesnt want to start up again after its been up at operating temperature for a while. It cranks and cranks for 5 seconds or as long as I'll let it and never feels like its getting the fuel it needs. If I stop turning the key and then try again it fires right up.

This has been the story for a long time (years). I feel like its a fuel issue because I've been through the entire ignition system recently. It was diagnosed once (by some mechanic) as the fuel filter, but I replaced that and the symptoms never changed.

Fuel Pump? TPS? I come to the experts. Thanks in advance.

[TvSteve]

My 97 wagon does the same thing. Here's Squareback's answer to your problem;

It's a fuel pump problem common to 96 and 97 S Series cars. Not detrimental to anything. Do this next time you start your car---turn the key to the "on" position and listen for the fuel pump. Once you hear the fuel pump click off, start the car. The fuel pumps in those cars have a tendency to bleed down pressure after being shut off, so rather than the system being at pressure and ready to start immediately, it has to repressurize before it will fire up. IMHO it isn't worth replacing a working fuel pump because of a 2 second anamoly when you start it. My sister's '97 SL2 has the same problem, I just taught her to prime the pump before starting the car. No big deal really. A Tune up is a great idea, but it isn't going to have any effect whatsoever on an fuel related problem.

Use the search function and you will find many threads on your problem.

Steve