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2000 Chevy Camaro Can't start the engine

Tiny
ALEXMIHUTA
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
I accidentally turned the engine off while stopped on ramps with the front wheels (in order to change the oil), but in drive. I shifted in parking (with engine off) and after I added engine flush (to clean the engine before draining the oil) I tried to start the engine to run it for 15 min as per engine flush instructions. It started but in the next second it stopped. I tried a couple more times, engine turns but it will not fire up. Tried to start it with pedal fully depressed to clean an eventual flooded engine. Still no start, just turning. I then checked the fuses: all good. Swapped the fuel pump relay with a similar one on the fuse block: same symptoms. I jumped the contacts on the fuel pump relay socket to force the pump to run and checked for pressure on the fuel pressure check valve. Not much pressure. Turned the key in start position and checked the pressure again: sometime I will have some pressure but most of the time no pressure at all. I disconnected the battery to reset the computer and tried everything all over again with the same results. With a meter I checked the voltage across fuel pump relay contacts: 8V. Battery was good (drained it now after so many attempts to start), more than 3/4 tank full with gas. Is there a fuel pump cutoff switch or fuel pump voltage check point so that I can check to see if the pump gets the 12V?
Thanks!
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Monday, July 13th, 2009 AT 9:23 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,650 POSTS
It sounds like you have been very thorough in checking. However there is no location, other than at the fuel pump plug to check voltage. To do so, the fuel tank needs to be dropped.

Before doing that, have you checked to see if the fuel filter is plugged? Have you ever replaced it? You may want to check pressure before the filter to see if it is different than at the fuel rail. It may just be a plugged fuel filter.
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Monday, July 13th, 2009 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
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OK, here is what I did yesterday:

I disconnected the fuel filter and connector for fuel pump. Applied 12V to the pin for fuel pump. No gas through the hanging fuel line (disconnected from filter). Replaced the filter with a new one, put everything back together, reinstalled fully charged battery. I applied then the rubber mallet method to the gas tank. I heard that a stuck pump might start to run again if you do so. I then turned the key to start (not run) to prime the gas line. I checked thre fuel pressure check port and now have plenty of gas! I was so happy! Not for long. The engine will not start. Tried to start it about4 or 5 times without success. OK now I flooded the engine I said to myself and tried to start with the pedal to the metal about 5 times. Nothing, just the engine turning, but not starting. Check the gas pressure port and no gas! Maybe because of the pedal to the metal technique. I disconnected the battery and will try again today to see if the pump will send gas to the engine, starting fresh. I am afraid there are some sort of safety interlockings that will not allow the pump to run. Or the pump is bad. Or maybe something with the engine. What do you think I should do now?
Thanks.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 AT 5:07 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Will the engine start with starting fluid?
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
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I did not try it. How is this supposed to work? Disconnect the air intake and spray it into the throttle body while cranking the engine? This would be a good idea to isolate the problem.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
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Yes, spray it into the TB. You can spray first and then try to start it. Just follow the directions on the can.

Let me know what happens. Also, be careful with the starting fluid. It is very, very flamable.

Joe
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
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It started with starter fluid, for about 3-4 seconds from the 4th try. I assume it will run if somebody would keep on spraing. So it's got to be the fuel pump. There was no gas at all at the gas pressure port.
The sender unit got a pressure switch built in, according to alldata. I wonder how this switch regulates the pressure. If it "feels" enough pressure would it cut the power to the pump? What if the pump is good and the switch is bad?
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Friday, July 17th, 2009 AT 5:42 PM
Tiny
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The pump and switch is one unit. If you are receiving power to the pump, it's bad.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Friday, July 17th, 2009 AT 11:12 PM
Tiny
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Yes it was the pump! My SS it's alive again! Thanks for all the help. I replaced the fuel pump assembly and it's all good now.
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Friday, July 24th, 2009 AT 10:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Great news. I'm glad it's going again. Let us know if you have questions in the future, and thank you for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Friday, July 24th, 2009 AT 11:05 PM

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