91 Sunbird Conv. not accererate from stop on a hill

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carolinatom55

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Hi there, I have a 91 Sunbird with 140000 miles and the car runs great except when the gas tank gets down to three gallons or so if I stop on an incline I cannot accelerate until I reach level ground. The engine idles fine the whole time. When I try to accelerate the engine acts as if there is not enough gas. When I let off the gas the engine will idle well. Once I get to level ground the car drives fine with no accel problems until I stop on an incline again. The past owner put a gas pump in before I bought it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
was the fuel filter changed when the pump was replaced?
do a fuel pressure test when the car is low on gas including raising the front of the car. The pump or pump pickup could be defective.
 
it could be a number of things from the baffle in the tank breaking loose to incorrectly installed fuel pump.
I agree with melsg5 connect a fuel pressure gauge to recreate the symptom, once you know for sure its a fuel pressure problem.
Pull the tank and double check the previous owners work, It is possible the tank is empty and showing a incorrect fuel level.
 
Check the wires to the fuel pump that run along the drivers side floorboard from the fuse box back, 91's are famous for corroded or grounded out fuel pump wires.

Also check the firewall/ cowl bulkhead wire connector on the drivers side to make sure the bolt that holds the the 2 halves together is not loose.

Happened to me, took me 2 weeks to figure it out....................( fuel pump wires wern't making contact) First sign was the car would stall at a stop when the engine moved.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
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92 Sunbird LE said:
Check the wires to the fuel pump that run along the drivers side floorboard from the fuse box back, 91's are famous for corroded or grounded out fuel pump wires.

Also check the firewall/ cowl bulkhead wire connector on the drivers side to make sure the bolt that holds the the 2 halves together is not loose.

Happened to me, took me 2 weeks to figure it out....................( fuel pump wires wern't making contact) First sign was the car would stall at a stop when the engine moved.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
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Yes this Poster is just another hit and run, they never seem to return and let us know how the repair went.
 
got it fixed

Thanks for all the advice. I replaced the pump and hanger assembly and have fixed the problem plus the gas gage now works. The car runs like new now.
 
Thanks for getting back to us, I am guessing the main problem was you were running out of fuel because a out of calibration or worn fuel level sending unit?
 
Yep that was what was happening. The fuel gauge was always on full so I was doing the mileage method. I My Chilton's manual has me listed for a 13.6 gal tank. When I pulled the sending unit from the tank I could see the gas was about empty, less than a gallon. I went straight to the gas station and put in a shade over 11 gal. I figure I have a roughly 12 gal tank. Mileage math confirms this to be about right.

I am retired/disabled appliance repair man that almost never worked on cars when I was able. I now find some fun and satisfaction putting this car back on the road. I work when I can on the car. Same for forums. ;-)
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Chilton manual are good for some things. it is best to get a subscription to Aldata diy or Mitchel 1 diy. they are vehicle specific and the information is sourced from the factory.

Chilton and Haynes will blend information across years and different rim levels leaving the information kind of generic.
 
carolinatom55 said:
Yep that was what was happening. The fuel gauge was always on full so I was doing the mileage method. I My Chilton's manual has me listed for a 13.6 gal tank. When I pulled the sending unit from the tank I could see the gas was about empty, less than a gallon. I went straight to the gas station and put in a shade over 11 gal. I figure I have a roughly 12 gal tank. Mileage math confirms this to be about right.
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I know mine (92) is a 15 gallon tank, dont know why yours is so small.. ( same second gen JBody )...............:confused:


Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
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carolinatom55 said:
Yep that was what was happening. The fuel gauge was always on full so I was doing the mileage method. I My Chilton's manual has me listed for a 13.6 gal tank. When I pulled the sending unit from the tank I could see the gas was about empty, less than a gallon. I went straight to the gas station and put in a shade over 11 gal. I figure I have a roughly 12 gal tank. Mileage math confirms this to be about right.

I am retired/disabled appliance repair man that almost never worked on cars when I was able. I now find some fun and satisfaction putting this car back on the road. I work when I can on the car. Same for forums. ;-)
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Thinking about this tread kind of rubs me the wrong way.

The Op asked for help, the symptoms sounded like it was running out of fuel.

Yet the OP never mentioned the fact that the fuel gauge was stuck on full all the time.

Anyone that reads this that needs help. please include all the known defects to your car if your asking for help.

I am glad we helped this guy figure out the problem, yet I feel kind of put out by this thread because of the lack of relevant information.

My point is had the OP included this information, many people would have seen the obvious problem and perhaps pipe in with suggestions.

Whatever I guess I am just getting frustrated with people wanting and needing help, yet not doing enough on their own to help themselves.
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I do wonder about Chilton. Recently changed the trans filter with the help of a friend. The book fluid level value was about 1 /2 qt short.
 
EaOutlaw said:
Thinking about this tread kind of rubs me the wrong way.

The Op asked for help, the symptoms sounded like it was running out of fuel.

Yet the OP never mentioned the fact that the fuel gauge was stuck on full all the time.

Anyone that reads this that needs help. please include all the known defects to your car if your asking for help.

I am glad we helped this guy figure out the problem, yet I feel kind of put out by this thread because of the lack of relevant information.

My point is had the OP included this information, many people would have seen the obvious problem and perhaps pipe in with suggestions.

Whatever I guess I am just getting frustrated with people wanting and needing help, yet not doing enough on their own to help themselves.
Click to expand...

Do not worry I will not bother the experts again!!!
 
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