# Car Difficult to Start **URL:** \ **Category:** Power/Fuel\ **Tags:** starting, rpm, gasoline\ **Created:** [December 29, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-difficult-to-start/24065 "2008-12-29T18:28:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solartwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@solartwin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/solartwin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-difficult-to-start/24065/1 "2008-12-29T18:28:36Z")
My 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix with 58,000 miles on it. I have trouble startimg it, when I turn the key in the ignition the engine will turn over then die or not turn over at all. I can force a start by gently pumping the gas while turning the key. Also, while driving at highway speeds; the RPM fluctuates causing me, the driver, to feel a noticeable change in momentum. I have changed the fuel filter, but no improvements were observed ? any ideas on how to deal with these concerns? ---
**Author:** ![coolasice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@coolasice](https://community.cartalk.com/u/coolasice)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-difficult-to-start/24065/2 "2009-03-02T11:23:12Z")
Probably a little late, but clean your throttle body, and maf sensor. mine did the same thing for a short period, would run fine once it was started and going. ---
**Author:** ![Cal\_Learner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cal_learner/32/387_2.png) [@Cal\_Learner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cal_Learner)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-difficult-to-start/24065/3 "2009-03-02T12:47:41Z")
MAF sensor or weak fuel pressure (failing fuel pump or restricted fuel lines).