2001 sunfire 2.2 won't stay running after starting

[moparmusclecars]

Tried starting this car a few weeks ago, but it only cranked over. Today we pulled the baffle away from the throttle body and sprayed starting fluid in there. It actually starts up doing that, but dies right after. Also I noticed a plu in on the top of this baffle that had the two wires previously spliced together and they are now torn apart. I'm not sure if that is a sensor or what. Where do i start on this car looking for the issue. Would it be a possible bad fuel pump, or possibly needing to make sure the battery was fully charged (we used a jumper box while we were starting it). I wondered if I maybe need to turn the key on and leave it for 10-15 minutes and then retry starting it. Any ideas. Car always ran fine before this incident. I'm sure I need to get this battery fully charged too.

 

[Roadrunner]

start by checking fuses and relys..if they are good then pull the conector off the fuel pump and put it back in..do that about 5 times..if thats all good it's most likely a fuel pump.. lets hope it's not the wires..

 

[moparmusclecars]

thanks for the reply. Gonna move the car to my shop this afternoon and be able to do more than where it sits now. I am thinking the fuel pump too. My friend who is GM certified and a awesome tech living in another town suspects the fuel pump also. He told me to bypass all of this simply jump a wire across two terminals #87 and #30 on the fuse box where the fuel pump relay goes and it will make the fuel pump work even for a short time. he said look at the bottom of the relay to figure out on the block what is #87 and what is #30. I don't hear any noise when i turn on the key, but maybe I'm deaf. Also, thought maybe it was the pass lock system, but it seems it tested fine. I just keep thinking its gotta be the fuel pump. Friend said also once i jump that relay to hit the bottom of the tank with a rubber mallet, as at times that will help the fuel pump to engage. I will post after I try a few of these things.

 

[moparmusclecars]

I believe it is the fuel pump. feed the engine more starter fluid, and it runs longer but still dies. Has to be that it is not getting fuel. Relay must be good cause I switched it with the ac relay, but made no difference. Tapped on the tank with a rubber mallet, but nothing. I don't hear the pump running when you first turn the key on. 90% sure it has to be the pump on this one. Wiring issues generally I think wouldn't even let the car run. Plus, he had this car running fine a few months back, and the car was not moved from that very spot.

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[Roadrunner]

If the wires to the fuel pump went out the car would still run if you spray starter fluid but die as you said..But still try what i said about pulling out the connector and putting back in..if still nothing then best bet is your fuel pump

 

[moparmusclecars]

I'll try the wires in the morning, thanks for the advice.

 

[ranth]

Please post back after you get the car running with what fixed it. So many people ask for help on these forums and leave the thread hanging after they get the car running by not posting the repair.