I wasn't sure where to put this question ... I thought it fit here since it's driving me insane ...

I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me ... or at least point me in the right direction. I've got a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, 2.4L, 4 cylinder, about 90,600 miles on it (give or take). I've been having problems starting it. When the problem first started, my car would start fine in the morning, but after driving it around and then letting it sit for a bit, like while I was in a store, I'd have problems starting it. It would crank and almost start, but wouldn't fire. If I hit the gas pedal at the right time, it would start. It wasn't that bad when this first started (I think it was last spring or so). But recently, it's gotten more frequent. I seem to be having problems every time I start it unless I shut it off and start it again within 5 minutes.

I've been doing some searching online and found a message board where I've posted. I've seen a lot of people with similar problems, but no real definitive solution. Some had mentioned turning the key to the on position (but not starting it) and leaving it for about 15 minutes and then it would start fine. I'm gonna give that a try tomorrow morning. But I really don't know what that would mean. I don't have the money right now to throw around to try to figure out what's wrong, but I swear this car is possessed.

I'm just wondering if someone has experience similar starting problems and if they've figured out what's caused it. Any help would be great.

I would not want my key on for 15 min. and not start it.

Leaving the key on might help just a bit if the fuel system is losing it's prime when sitting and you have an electric fuel pump that would pump when the key is turned on.

It is fuel injected? Or have a regular carburetor?

The only way to be sure would be to have mechanic check it out. It could be anything. It initially sounded like a vapor lock problem, but with the problem getting worse, it looks like ignition and the spark/timing. Fuel pump could be going bad. Hard to tell.

A fuel filter can load up at any time. You never know when you might get some bad gas. Fuel filters on big trucks usually get changed with every oil change, as often as 10,000 miles, (one month).

I'm hedging bets on the ignition not firing for right now.

I agree, it sounds like the fuel is having problems getting to where it needs to get. Ignition problems, those are kind of unusual, but being that dad is a former mechanic, and really once a mechanic always a mechanic, if he says it is that, I would go with him.

My Mom made an appointment for me to get the fuel filter changed. I'm having the guy who did it 2 years ago do it again ... it's cheaper there than to have it done here in town. I'm hoping that'll fix it. If not, then I'll have to try something else.