# Starting Problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** starting, l, sonoma, gmc\ **Created:** [February 20, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-problem/44820 "2010-02-20T19:31:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mr\_R](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mr_R)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-problem/44820/1 "2010-02-20T19:31:48Z")
Normally, when I engage the starter, the engine starts immediately, within one second. However, within the last 3 weeks, I have to crank the starter for 2 or 3 seconds before the motor starts. This situation is most pronounced after the vehicle sits over night. It’s not so bad or is non-existent if the car has sat less than an hour. I have discovered if I turn the key to the “on” position and wait for 10-20 seconds, the motor will start sooner, although it still takes longer than a second. I’m thinking it’s a fuel problem, because I can hear the in-tank fuel pump engage when I turn the key on, so that seems to be priming the system, but I don’t know if there is another pump somewhere in the engine compartment that is not performing properly. This is a 2002 model pickup with 50 K miles, has not been abused and is well maintained. Otherwise the vehicle performs well and the fuel economy has not been affected. What’s up? Is this anything I need to worry about? And why did the symptoms appear so suddenly? ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-problem/44820/2 "2010-02-20T20:02:37Z")
You may need a new fuel filter. If it’s not been replaced then I would get a new one installed. There is only one pump in the fuel system and it should run for a few seconds when you first turn the key. It will run constantly once the engine starts. 2 or 3 seconds before an engine start is in the ballpark for most vehicles.