2003 SSEi Fuel pump problem?

[EAGLE]

Running a good will errand for a family member, I got WAY low on fuel. After shutting off the vehicle to fuel it, it cranked back up hard, acting like it had jumped time or something..( I'm mechanically inclined, but NOT a mechanic, so please bear with me..)---
It quit running after a few minutes of not running smooth, and now will not start at all. Does running this 3800 out of fuel kill the fuel pump? The car has less than 100,000 Mi. on it...there can't be enough trash in the tank to clog injectors or a filter or anything, can there? I have no idea what the problem could be, can you all please help? I'm on the virge of being fired because I have no transportation!!



So, does anyone have experience with a dead fuel pump in an 03 SSEi?

[00Beast]

Repeatedly running the tank low can kill the pump. I doubt it's trash in the tank, as there is the sock on the fuel pump pickup and a serviceable fuel filter. My vote is to replace that first, it's under the driver's rear door area.

More info: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=23215

[EAGLE]

Thanks. I'll try that asap.

[redzmonte]

check for fuel pressure at the fuel rail.. should be a shrader valve on the fuel rail with a black cap on it IIRC... you can use a small screw driver or something to push the valve down when someone turns the key to "ACC" and see if fuel comes out, the pump should prime and give you pressure in the ACC Key position. keep a few rags handy, might get messy. if the pump died and the car will no longer start then you should not have pressure at the rail. If you have a fuel pressure gauge watch where the pressure goes up too and when you shut it off see how fast it bleeds off. it should see ~42-50psi if the pump is good. now because this has a return line the pressure might bleed off pretty quick. so check when the ACC pos for the key is turned it should spike up and then kinda slowly bleed down.. if you get it started it should hold 42-50 psi... if it is below that then you have a problem with the pump. Also check the fuse pannel for a blown fuse or a bad relay, should be able to swap another relay in from another system not requried to run the car to make sure the relay isnt bad(headlights or something).

if the filter is plugged then it may still read the correct pressure but not enough flow for the engine to run/keep running so definatly make sure you have a fresh filter in there. Let us know what you find.

S

[EAGLE]

Ok, new filter on, no pressure up front...and barely any at the filter. Can't hear the pump priming pre-start. Haven't checked the relay yet.. will do that today. Hope that's all it is as I can't find anyone around here to do the work for less than 700 bucks. Ouch. I'll NEVER run that engine that low on fuel again...o.0

Can someone post instructions on how to do the replacement? The pumps are cheap on ebay...but I need to be walked through the job, if it ends up being that. Burns me up that I lost my job over this and can't even draw unemployment. What has happened to our Once Great Nation. Sad.

[00Beast]

What did you do that your car was that important?

It's the same basic procedure to replace the fuel pump: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=9&t=3463

[EAGLE]

Hey again. Sorry to resurrect this, but I'm lost. I replaced the pump, and have fuel up to the fuel rail, although I don't have a pressure guage to check it.. are they expensive? The car still wont start. Just turns over, and never fires. New battery, pump, and filter. What else would keep it from cranking? It almost acts like it is either not getting a spark or air or something.... searches on the forum havent led me anywhere. Where is the FPR, Fuel Vacuum Harness, and Mass Airflow Sensor?

And @ 00Beast, I didn't mean to PM that reply, man, and thanks for the help. Couldn't have replaced that pump without it...for everyone else, I drive a truck for a living and am trapped a long way from the terminal. Luckily I found a better job closer that lets me get home daily, off on weekends, and pays almost twice as much!! Somehow I always end up ok....just don't want to lose my '03. Meanest car I ever had, and I've had some decent rides, back in the day...

[00Beast]

A parts store will loan you a pressure sensor. Have you checked for spark? I have a feeling these things may unfirtunately be unrelated, just a huge coincidence...

[EAGLE]

Thanks, Beast. I'll find a pressure guage Monday. Can you tell me where the MAF sensor and FPR are?

[00Beast]

MAF sensor is the square plastic part on the top of your throttle body.

The FPR is the "Button" on the fuel rail, with the vacuum line on it. Remove that vacuum line and if it smells like fuel, the FPR is bad.