Changed the fuel pump it started with a jump now will not stay running?

CHITAY13

MEMBER
1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE
3.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
400,000 MILES

My car quit running on me a few months back, everyone told me it was the fuel pump. So, I changed it out and got it started with a jump and it ran for a few minutes. The RPMs jumped up and down and the engine boggled and shut off and wouldn't start again. I put my jumper box back on and it struggled to start then it did and boggled real bad and shut off and seems when I don't have the jump box connected my battery drains super quick and won't start, but when my car was running, I had no issues with the alternator. If the car sat for a few weeks the battery drains, but I was told it
was because she is old. The day it quit running I noticed my A/C didn't want to work it was just blowing warm air, not sure it that helps, but I want to put as much detail in this so I can find out what is wrong and fix it.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

I have a feeling the poor running, and stalling are both a result of either a bad battery or an alternator that isn't producing.

Do me a favor. If you have a battery charger, recharge the battery, remove it, and have it load tested at a parts store. If you can't recharge it, places like AutoZone will charge it for you and test it free of charge.

If the battery tests good, then we need to check the alternator. To do this all that is needed is a voltmeter or multimeter. Here is a link that explains how to do it. You will need to have the vehicle running to perform this. If you can no longer get it to run even after charging the battery, remove the alternator and have it bench tested at a local parts store.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

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Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 AT 9:46 PM

CHITAY13

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the reply! So, you're saying it could either be one of those or even both, nothing that involves getting deep in the engine block or anything? Because it's not running any codes or giving indication on my dash that anything is wrong that's why I'm just so confused why it is not staying on or wanting to start without a jump I would be able to drive her again. At this point I'm about to just change the alternator and battery and not deal with having to test anything if the culprit is one of the two only.

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Thursday, August 18th, 2022 AT 1:33 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

Today's vehicles are very reliant on voltage. If it gets low, it affects a lot of different things. As far as just replacing it, I would have them bench tested to confirm one or the other is bad. I wouldn't want you to spend money unnecessarily.

I attached the directions for replacing the alternator specific to this vehicle below. Make sure the battery is disconnected before you remove the alternator. Have them both bench tested to see if one or the other is bad.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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