fuel problems

[gartht799]

Hello,

About a month ago, my 2001 Grand Am GT wouldn't start. It was working fine and then all of a sudden it wouldn't start. I had a feeling it was the fuel pump. I heard they are known to go bad after a few years. The dealer confirmed it was the fuel pump and repaired it, and put a new fuel filter on the car for what I felt was quite a bit of money. Well, I let the situation go as stuff happens. Yesterday I stopped to get gas and wham, the car wouldn't start again. It was doing the same thing as before, turning over with spark but not firing. I sprayed some starting fluid into the air cleaner and it fired up for a second and then quit. This made me again think it was the fuel pump. Well, I had to get it towed home again. I checked the fuel filter and it seemed okay but it wouldn't turn over. I decided to give up and call the dealer in the morning. Well after a few hours, I decided what the heck and give it another try and it fired right up. I tried it around six times and it started up okay every time. The problem is, that I am paranoid it is going to happen again. Has anyone ever had this problem or know what it could be? Someone recommended I have the dealer monitor the fuel pressure because the new pump might be defective and fluctuating, thus sometimes causing the car not to start. Thanks for any help.

[erimar77]

I would check your paperwork to see how long of a warranty you have on the job they did. If it's been less than the time specified, say 30 days, then I would take it back to them and tell em' to fix it....and you're not paying any more, since they didn't fix it the first time.

[Moofert]

Check to see if your security light is flashing on the dash when it wont start. Ive been going through this for about 2 years now. It will maybe fire once, then nothing, just turns over
Its not the fuel pump, its hte passlock system.

If the security light is flashing, juts leave the key in the ignition, set to the on position for 10 minutes, and you wil see the security light stop blinking.

When the passlock is triggered, it disables the fuel pump, so it seems like the fuel pump is dead. I spent $900 for nothing cuz the crappy mechanic said it was not working properly..

[gartht799]

There was a security light flashing when I was trying to turn it over. I did think it was weird because I never noticed it before. So the dealer probably ripped me off 900 plus bucks because the fuel pump wasn't bad before.

What is causing the security to come on? It is not coming on now and it is starting so that has to be it. Any idea how to keep it from happening again? I'm paranoid that it is going to reoccur and leave me stranded again.

[Moofert]

I'm afraid that the dealer did rip you off. I would quickly go back and complain to them. At least inform the dealships owner of the situaiton. Say that after spending that much money, the problem was still not resolved, and after all that, it comes down to a faulty wiring situation that is well known among the grand am community but not by the dealership (or they do but want your $$).

But yeah, if the light is flashing, then put the key into the on position, after about 10 minutes it WILL stop flashing, and the car will fire up no problem. Has happened to me a few times.

I believe that it is caused by faulty wiring in the ignition, the contacts become worn out like everything else in the car, and then triggers the passlock system.

I don't know for sure how it is fixed, but there are bypasses that can be purchased which are used particularly when instlaling a remote starter.

GL to you, and hopefully you can recoupe some of your money lost.

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by Moofert
....I believe that it is caused by faulty wiring in the ignition, the contacts become worn out like everything else in the car, and then triggers the passlock system.

I don't know for sure how it is fixed, but there are bypasses that can be purchased which are used particularly when instlaling a remote starter....
The 'passlock' is designed to sense when a thief is using a key that is very close to yours, but slightly different.
The thief won't sit around for 10 minutes, you will.

It's generally accepted that it an old, worn key, or key that is a copy of a copy of a copy etc., will cause the passlock to do its thing.

Spray some powdered graphite (NOT oil or silicone) on your key, and insert it several times. This will transfer some of the graphite to the pins (tumblers) of the lock, and free-up one that might have been sticking. This may cure your problem forever.

If this happens again (after graphiting), order a pair of BRAND-NEW factory keys from any GM dealer.
Based on your VIN, theycan cut the exact key that left the factory with the car. They're not supposed to hand you the new keys unless you show proof of registration and photo ID.

Good luck.
-Rick

PS: It's possible that the problem 30 days ago WAS a faulty fuel pump, since many of the symptoms are identical to what you're now experiencing.
But there are two simple tests, pressure and flow, that the mechanic should have (and might have) performed to verify faulty fuel pump vs. passlock-induced fuel shut-off.
At this time the dealer/mechanic will prolly claim they performed those tests.
Do you have the old FP? You could test it.
I always ask for my old parts returned, I even pay the core charges if they aren't too much.

[gartht799]

Thanks for the advice. I will see about getting new keys just to be extra safe. Getting towed stinks. I should of asked for my old fuel pump back, I always tell people to get the old parts, but I didn't. :mad: They did however put a new fuel filter on it because it said AC/Delco and I replaced the filter with a puralator a few months before all this happened. This tells me that they were under the car at least. The main thing is that I figured it out with the help of you guys. Thanks a lot.