Car wont start PLEASE help!

Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 3.8L
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129,000 MILES
My 99 Chevy Lumina ltz won't start. It makes noise like its going to turn over and start but doesn't start. Recently replaced the fuel pump but the module only not the other parts or kit like wiring harness ect. After it was replaced car ran ok except it stalled at all stops and intermediately it seemed when it had half tank + of gas in it tho not sure if that is what actually made the difference in stalling at stops. After a while it began having issues starting too and I would have to wiggle the fuel pump harness wires & connector to start it. Eventually this stopped working & couldn't /can't start car at all now again. Don't hear fuel pump buzz either like in the beginning of problem before fuel pump module replacement. Tried to locate a new wiring harness & connector only to find out the original has been discontinued and new different shaped connector plugs on harnesses are only available and included with the pump & kit package at parts stores. I ordered the pump on its own with no kit online unknowingly that it would be pretty much impossible to find & buy the additional assembly part (harness & connector). So now car wont start and I'm not even sure the wiring harness is why just guessing beings it started when wiggling them and diy-Ing any repairs due to lack of funds. Is there any detailed help for the unmechanically inclined anyone could please please provide?
Saturday, January 16th, 2016 AT 9:53 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
Well, It sounds as if to me you need to convert the harness. Since it would start when you wiggled the wires in an indication that is your problem. Also I would replace the fuel filter as well. Rent a pressure gauge from the parts store so you can check the fuel pressure.
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Saturday, January 16th, 2016 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
How do I convert the harness?
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Saturday, January 16th, 2016 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I've already replaced fuel filter. Just need to know how to either convert or find a wiring harness that has been discontinued or rig it somehow
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Saturday, January 16th, 2016 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
Do you have a link that shows the new harness?
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Saturday, January 16th, 2016 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No couldn't find a pic of the discontinued harness I need that has correct connectors nor the new upgraded harnesses that are being sold now as replacements that are entirely different and unuseable I'm told by local gm dealership. They couldn't even suggest a possible fix?
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Saturday, January 16th, 2016 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I'll find a link to a pic of the harness I have and need replaced and also link to pic of the new upgraded version that are the only available via auto parts stores asap for my vehicle asap when I find it, if I can.
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Saturday, January 16th, 2016 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Oldl part number (15303259) pic shows harness
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Sunday, January 17th, 2016 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you! Now that is the old harness pic & part # for 99 Chevy Lumina ltz 3.8 or Oldsmobile? Just checking?
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Monday, January 18th, 2016 AT 4:37 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It's for a chevy with a 3.8 a 3.1 would more than likely be the same as well as an Oldsmobile
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Monday, January 18th, 2016 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The diagram doesn't look like the harness wiring and connector I need to replace. The connector is discolored in one of the prong areas- open circuit? Or? Can I somehow splice in new wires or is changing the connector required? Gm really made it a pain the ass to replace parts it seems
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
CHARCHAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I will remove harness w/connector and find an exact image online to show the one I can't replace since I'm having a hard time being specific with words. All I know is the car started when I wiggled wires up until it wouldn't start at all so like johnnyy73 indicated that's likely where the problem lies. I'm a diy-ER female here and trying my best to learn and fix my vehicle if possible. Might have to give up and pay pay pay.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The harness should contain a connector with it and it needs to be spliced into the current harness as long as it matchs the fuel pump connector. The picture I sent is of the one that has been discontinued more than likely due to age. If you are having a problem with the harness then go to a junk yard and get one off of junk car with about a foot of the harness so you can splice it into to your current harness about a foot back.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2016 AT 5:47 AM

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