Won't start

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix mileage: 105,000. I just purchased this car from a close friend who says he never had any problems with it. After I drive the car around for a while, it won’t start after I turn the engine off. After an hour or so, it will start with no problem. The engine does crank and all lights and electrical work, but it just wont turn over. Whenever I take it to a mechanic, the car does fine! I’m very frustrated and tired of getting stuck. When I try to start it' it almost for a split second tries to turn over then it just cranks. I think the computer is telling the car not to start for some reason. The car has 25,000 miles on a rebuilt transmission and engine
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 5:05 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
Intermittent problems are very hard to diagnose. Your no start problem may be your fuel pump. Try to check it for pressure during the not start problem. Also, check for spark at the spark plugs.

Here are a few guides to read, they will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
SEANSTUD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
2001 grand prix gt wont start. It cranks over fine checked for fuel pressure none. Removed fuel pump panel and removed feed line nothing comes out at key on so I replaced relay and still nothing checked all under hood fuses there ok. So I bought a new pump and still nothing. Unsure on next step please help need car for work
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Here are the procedures for testing the fuel pump circuit.

Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit

1. If powertrain diagnostic system check has already been performed, go to next step. If powertrain diagnostic system check has not been performed, go to POWERTRAIN DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK in appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article.

2. Connect scan tool. Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on and off. If fuel pump turns on and off, check for intermittent problem. See appropriate TROUBLE SHOOTING - NO CODES article. If fuel pump does not turn on and off, go to next step.

3. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on and off. If fuel pump relay clicks, go to step 9. If fuel pump relay does not click, go to next step.

4. Turn ignition off. Disconnect fuel pump relay located in underhood accessory wiring junction block. Turn ignition on. Using test light connected to ground, probe fuel pump relay control circuit at relay cavity. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on. If test light turns on and off, go to next step. If test light does not turn on and off, go to step 6.

5. Connect test light between fuel pump relay control circuit and fuel pump relay ground circuit at relay cavities. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on. If test light turns on and off, go to step 19. If test light does not turn on and off, go to step 22.

6. If test light remains illuminated, go to next step. If test light does not remain illuminated, go to step 8.

7. Disconnect PCM. Check fuel pump relay control circuit for short to voltage. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If circuit is okay, go to step 26.

8. Disconnect PCM. Check fuel pump relay control circuit for open or short to ground. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If circuit is okay, go to step 20.

9. Turn ignition on. If fuel pump runs continuously, go to next step. If fuel pump does not run continuously, go to step 11.

10. Turn ignition off. Disconnect fuel pump relay located in underhood accessory wiring junction block. Turn ignition on. If fuel pump runs continuously, go to step 21. If fuel pump does not run continuously, go to step 25.

11. Check F/PMP fuse (15-amp) located in underhood accessory wiring junction block. If fuse is open, go to next step. If fuse is okay, go to step 14.

12. Remove fuel pump access panel (if equipped; fuel tank may need to be lowered). Check for short to ground in fuel pump power feed circuit between fuel pump and fuse. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If circuit is okay, go to next step.

13. Reconnect all components. Install NEW F/PMP fuse. Using scan tool command fuel pump on. If fuse blows, go to step 24. If fuse does not blow, check for intermittent problem. See appropriate TROUBLE SHOOTING - NO CODES article.

14. Turn ignition off. Disconnect fuel pump relay located in underhood accessory wiring junction block. Turn ignition on. Using test light connected to ground, probe fuel pump relay battery feed circuit at fuel pump relay cavity. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 23.

15. Connect fused jumper wire between fuel pump relay battery feed circuit and fuel pump power feed circuit at fuel pump relay cavities. If fuel pump runs, go to step 19. If fuel pump does not run, go to next step.

16. Remove fuel pump access panel. Check fuel pump power feed circuit for open or high resistance between fuel pump and fuel pump relay. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If circuit is okay, go to next step.

17. Check fuel pump ground circuit for open or high resistance. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If circuit is okay, go to next step.

18. Check for poor connections at fuel pump. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If connections are okay, go to step 24.

19. Check for poor connections at fuel pump relay. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If connections are okay, go to step 25.

20. Check for poor connections at PCM. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 27. If connections are okay, go to step 26.

21. Repair short to voltage in fuel pump power supply circuit. After repairs, go to step 27.

22. Repair open in fuel pump relay ground circuit. After repairs, go to step 27.

23. Repair fuel pump relay battery feed circuit. After repairs, go to step 27.

24. Replace fuel pump. Replace F/PMP fuse (15-amp) if necessary. After repairs, go to step 27.

25. Replace fuel pump relay. After repairs, go to step 27.

26. Replace PCM. Perform PCM relearn procedure. After repairs, go to next step.

27. Operate system and verify repair. If system operation is okay, testing is complete. If system operation is not okay, go to step 2.
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NORINEB
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 2.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159,600 MILES
CAR WON'T START! I have an '05 grand prix, that I just put $1,800 into. I have tried everything to be found via internet unless I am missing something, only thing I have not tried is cutting yellow wire and doing the bypass thing.
1 week ago I got stranded 45 miles away from home. Put the key in and got the message "service theft system" started reading online some possibilities disconnecting the battery for 16 hrs made that go away. Did the 30-45 min turn key thing also. Now I turn the key does nothing. If I put the key and turn to on leave it for 15 mins and the off then to on again the fuel pump will kick on but then when I go start it clicks 1 time thats it. What do I do?
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
Maybe you are overlooking the simple stuff, stuff that has plagued all cars in the past that had batteries

To keep me from pecking all night and finding this pics in my "library" again

Please look at my answer in this link and the pics at the end of it

Http://www.2carpros.com/questions/2000-ford-taurus-lx

Return here, to this thread, with some good news!

The medic
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NORINEB
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have brand new battery and cables, hence part of the $1800 I spent 4 weeks ago. Then the problem was car would just die while driving. Took it to GM. They replaced ECM, accelerator pedal and that cost me $1200, before that not knowing what was wrong I put over $600 in it trying the process of illumination. I can't afford dealership or a shop this time. Sorry for the dragged out blah blah blah. I am just at a loss
Thank you so much for any help or inexpensive suggestions u may have
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
So like, did you go to and read my link?

Even the stealership might overlook stuff too

Have no fear, other folks do jump in and give other possible solutions!

The medic
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NORINEB
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes I did
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try resetting your anti theft system if not have it scanned may be a problem with anti theft any garage can do this as well as fix anti theft if something is wrong. See pic.
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NORINEB
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
All be it, it was a ground wire that was loose.
I appreciate all the advice. Finally on the road again after bein off for over a week.
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
This is a good thing!

I hope something we threw out there aided you somehow

Come back to see us!

The medic
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NORINEB
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes it did, double triple check connections and wires before you swipe that card to buy parts. So so glad I did.
Again thank you
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 4:38 PM (Merged)

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