Fuel problems

[rp41]

I've been having a hell of a time with my 02 GT lately.....i thought the PASSLOCK system was messed up, took it to a dealer, they said fuel pump
(didn't replace it)....it ran for a few days and now it won't start.....i can replace the pump, but i had it out a few months ago and ran the pump once it was out of the tank....so....it works, but that doesn't mean that it is pressuring up enough.....anyway....my car turns over really slow....so, i think that my alternator might not be charging my system.....any ideas? i dunno if my low battery power might cause the furl pressure to be low or what.....just looking for ideas....

[jonnythan]

If it's turning over really slowly, there is a problem in the starting system. Could be the battery is just old and dead or the charging system isn't charging it. Or something else.

I have a multimeter, so I'd go measure the voltage across the terminals of the battery. If it's under 12.4 or so, the battery is discharged or dead. Charge it, start the car, and measure the voltage across the battery. If it's not well above 13, then there's a problem with the charging system.

If the battery is OK, measure the voltage while trying to start the car. If it dips below 10V, the battery is dead and must be replaced.

If the battery looks good and voltage doesn't drop, I'd do a real thorough cleaning of the battery terminals and connectors. I'd do that anyway, actually.

It occurs to me that the only symptom you really listed was that the car turns over slowly. Describe the problem, whatever it is, in more detail. Tell us what happens, whether the car ends up starting at all, if it runs OK while running, etc etc.

[rp41]

haha, ya, my bad, the car turns over and sputters but never starts, like i said i thought it was the passlock, so i took it to a dealer, they said the pump was bad, but when i had it towed home it started and ran fine for about a week, and now it is back to square one....i don't mind getting a new fuel pump, but about a year ago my friend had his replaced twice before the dealer found an electrical problem.....i just dont want to replace the pump, and then have to replace the alternator.....and the electrical system has been holding less and less of a charge over the past months.....thnx in advance for any ideas....

[350F]

You could get a fuel pressure gauge and measure the fuel pressure.

[pokesmot]

is the security light on when you attempt to start?

if so, you might just need a passlock relearn procedure.. fairly simple to do; just turn the ignition on and leave it in the on position for exactly 10 mins (the security light should then start flashing), then attempt to start the car.

If the security light continues to come on down the road, you have a passlock problem. I did one of these once, it came back a few times, turned out to be the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced / recoded at the dealer.

a couple other things to check for; when you turn the key on can you hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds and prime?
if not, check for voltage going to the pump with a multimeter, have a friend turn the ignition on when you get the probes connected properly.

if there is power, probably a bad pump. try tapping the bottom of the fuel tank while cranking.
if no power, at all, suspect passlock or wiring problem.

[HeyDace]

First you need to test the battery, recharge or replace it, then test your fuel pump circuit and fuel pressure and volume. Without a good battery your just pissing in the wind.

[rp41]

ya i have had my pump out and hard wired to a battery to make sure it pumps, and you can hear it come on....i know that it is not anything with the passlock reset, i have done that before...and the security light isn't flashing.... soooo....guess i will just gonna do basic checks on the battery and fuel pressure and go from there......i don't at all mind spending time and money on my car....i just don't want to waste it on working parts...thanks for the replys