Ok, I found the culprit of the problem. The nut behind the steering wheel (ME). I noticed that it was doing it today when I just turned the key directly to START from LOCK. If I pause a couple seconds with the key in the ON position like I normally do, and let the fuel pump pressurize the system, it starts normally, instantly and strong.

P.S. I am still going to try Techron to clean out the fuel system since I hear it is the best and it also claims to clean the sulphur from the fuel sensor and since I have only used "full time" cleaners in the fuel system in the past.

 

I'd still get that fuel pump checked especially the leakdown part. It sounds like it's not holding pressure.

 

How is that done? Can I do it myself?

 

You can check yourself if you have a fuel pressure gauge. According to GM you should have 60-66 PSI when you turn the key on. ( In my experience 55 will work, 52 gives starting headaches). Also when you turn the key off you should lose no more than 5 PSI over 10 minutes. That's the part I wonder about.

 

I figured it out. Has nothing to do with fuel delivery. All this time when it has been doing it, I have been up at college. Since it is only a 5 min drive (like 2 miles) to campus after a 5 min idle (to warm up), i figure that the battery doesn't have enough time to recharge after multiple starts (especially now that the weather is getting cold again) in a short distance. I am guessing that the alternator is starting to lose it's output or my wiring is corroded. I have been only starting it going directly to start from lock and it starts up effortlessly since I just drove 125 miles yesterday back to my apartment just off campus from my real home in the Mid-Hudson Valley. I am currently just below 1/2 a tank also (Yes, I am getting gas tonight). I'll bet after a couple days it will be doing it again full tank or empty tank. Thanks for the advice either way.