'99 Grand Am SE 2.4L New Fuel Pump Won't Start Car

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cmayo

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'99 Grand Am SE
2.4L 4cyl - 100% stock
130K miles

My trusty old Grand Am stranded me at the grocery store earlier in the week. It cranked just fine but never even tried to start. After waiting several minutes it did finally start. No trouble codes thrown and my mechanic said it had to be a fuel pump so he replaced the fuel pump yesterday, after which the car wouldn't start. They fussed with it a bit and got it to start, but it stranded me 20 minutes later. Happily, they'd shown me how to prime whatever serves for a carb on this engine so I hit the intake with some starter fluid, got it running, and drove it back to the shop.

The mechanic said the pump wasn't producing enough pressure so he ordered another brand and installed a second pump today (the car started fine today). After the pump was replaced, I had exactly the same situation... got stranded, the mechanic said the pumps weren't producing enough pressure to start the car and apparently, no other pumps (including genuine GM) are available due to the age of the vehicle (22 yrs).

I trust this mechanic but nobody can know everything... does this situation sound familiar to anyone? It seems more than odd that two different aftermarket fuel pumps would fail to start the car. It also seems odd that the two new aftermarket fuel pumps are having exactly the same problem that the original pump had in the first place, i.e. cranks, but no start.

Anyone have any thoughts for me?
 
Anyone scan for codes? Security system may be locking you out , also the there is something with the a/c and the fuel pump wiring that causes the problem you describing. Fuel pump relay been changed?

Doug in P.R. :cool:
 
Did your mechanic replace the fuel filter?
It is Not part of the fuel pump.
 
92 Sunbird LE said:
Anyone scan for codes? Security system may be locking you out , also the there is something with the a/c and the fuel pump wiring that causes the problem you describing. Fuel pump relay been changed?

Doug in P.R. :cool:
Click to expand...
'92, the car didn't throw any codes and there's no security system that I'm aware of, and the car doesn't use a transponder key. The mechanic pulled the cover and took a look at the relay box under the hood, but no relays were changed. I can try Googling for an A/C & fuel pump wiring issue, thanks!
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melsg5 said:
Did your mechanic replace the fuel filter?
It is Not part of the fuel pump.
Click to expand...
I questioned whether it could be a fuel filter or some other blockage in the fuel system but he kinda dismissed the idea. He hasn't done any troubleshooting at all and is completely convinced that it's a bad fuel pump, apparently despite the fact that the problem has survived three different fuel pumps.
 
If he is testing the pressure at the fuel rail and claims the pressure is low why wouldn't he replace the filter?
I can only tell you the obvious and it's up to you to either replace the filter yourself or find a qualified mechanic, ASE certified.
If he hasnt tested the fuel pressure he is incompetent.
 
melsg5 said:
If he is testing the pressure at the fuel rail and claims the pressure is low why wouldn't he replace the filter?
I can only tell you the obvious and it's up to you to either replace the filter yourself or find a qualified mechanic, ASE certified.
If he hasnt tested the fuel pressure he is incompetent.
Click to expand...
I appreciate your thoughts, thank you!
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