02 Alero, suspect fuel pump failure
#1
02 Alero, suspect fuel pump failure
Odd set of events. Low power to start the car so I inspect the battery electrolyte level and find a dry cell. It's a 7 year old Autolite battery and replacement was due.
Prior to checking the battery the car had intermittent periods where it was difficult to start. 2 or 3 cranks to fire up. Other days, no problem.
Now the car -had- a bum battery and would not fire ... almost but no go.
I'm going to rent the fuel pressure tester at Autozone. I don't have a Factory Service Manual so if anyone knows the standard pressure I'd appreciate a shout.
I'm wondering if that bad battery could have affected the fuel pump?? Anyway, we'll see after reading the pressure.
Prior to checking the battery the car had intermittent periods where it was difficult to start. 2 or 3 cranks to fire up. Other days, no problem.
Now the car -had- a bum battery and would not fire ... almost but no go.
I'm going to rent the fuel pressure tester at Autozone. I don't have a Factory Service Manual so if anyone knows the standard pressure I'd appreciate a shout.
I'm wondering if that bad battery could have affected the fuel pump?? Anyway, we'll see after reading the pressure.
#2
Unbelievable ... running better than before. I found this item @ oldsmobileforums.com
Originally Posted by Alerofun
Now on to what the real problem was. It was the fuel pump. I had someone try to start the car while I was banging on the gas tank with a dead blow hammer. After a minute of this the car started. I guess the fuel pump was stuck and this freed it up. The thing to know about doing this is that the fuel pump only gets power when someone is cranking the engine, or for about 2 seconds when the key is turned to the on position. The tapping on the gas tank seems to do no good when there is no power going to the pump. So if you need to try this, do it when someone is in the car cranking the engine. END OF QUOTE
What did I have to lose? I tried it and I'll be damned if it didn't fire right up. Light taps with a rubber mallet to the bottom of the fuel tank.
The condition has only occurred with 1/4 tank of fuel or less. Looking into bum gas, sediment ....
Originally Posted by Alerofun
Now on to what the real problem was. It was the fuel pump. I had someone try to start the car while I was banging on the gas tank with a dead blow hammer. After a minute of this the car started. I guess the fuel pump was stuck and this freed it up. The thing to know about doing this is that the fuel pump only gets power when someone is cranking the engine, or for about 2 seconds when the key is turned to the on position. The tapping on the gas tank seems to do no good when there is no power going to the pump. So if you need to try this, do it when someone is in the car cranking the engine. END OF QUOTE
What did I have to lose? I tried it and I'll be damned if it didn't fire right up. Light taps with a rubber mallet to the bottom of the fuel tank.
The condition has only occurred with 1/4 tank of fuel or less. Looking into bum gas, sediment ....
#7
I have no doubt that it is lying in wait for that inopportune moment to fail.
130,000 miles and countless combined hours of idling in her 14 years there is not a lot to complain about with this car.
Segue ... did the BFH ever work for you on a starter? Never worked for me.
130,000 miles and countless combined hours of idling in her 14 years there is not a lot to complain about with this car.
Segue ... did the BFH ever work for you on a starter? Never worked for me.
#9
those old Pontiacs from the 60's I used to drive had starter failure on 389's and 326's regularly. Hammer never worked and it was almost always the solenoid. I'm betting you've seen one or 2 yourself with that Cutlass.
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phill_ratrodv8
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February 25th, 2008 02:31 PM