Fluctuating gas gauge for a couple weeks then stalled at light and will not restart

SBARBOUR

MEMBER
2002 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE
230,000 MILES

Van's gas gauge started fluctuating a couple weeks ago periodically. Then I put $15.00 in gas, went to store, it said oil was low. Left the store and as I came to a stop at light it acted like it ran out of gas. Waited 15 minutes and it started and I made it home a mile away. It stalled as I parked in driveway. I put oil in it (was hardly any in there), it started but took a minute to not sound sluggish, rode around the block and it stalled on street over. It won't start. I pushed it all the way home (pretty awesome considering I am a woman, lol). Now it only clicks when trying to start. When key is in on position, the windows are very sluggish to open and even after I turn the radio off when turning key off and back on to try to start in order to listen for fuel pump, the radio comes on! It doesn't happen every time. Could this be multiple problems? Fuel pump? The sending unit? Starter? Fuse? Relay switch? Help! Where do I start? What all do I need to check?

4 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon,

The first thing I would do is charge the battery. It sounds like it is dead from trying to start it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Then I would check the fuel pressure. You need to see if the fuel pump is providing the correct pressure.

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

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

When it does not start, does the tachometer move up a little and show RPM reading? That will tell me if the crank sensor is working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works

Roy

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Thursday, July 9th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM

SBARBOUR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Okay. Third times a charm I suppose. Not sure where my 2 other replies went, ugh! So I got a jump and it started but ran very rough and the engine seemed to be rocking back and forth. After removing the cables, it stayed started for about 30 seconds then shut off. It now wants to start instead of just clicking but it won't turn over. Even before the jump, the interior ding, radio, dash lights, interior lights worked but when rolling down the window it seemed to be sluggish. Is it just the alternator? Would that be why the gas gauge was going bonkers periodically for a couple weeks before this? Or is it separate issues?

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Thursday, July 9th, 2020 AT 3:47 PM

SBARBOUR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I just tried the power sliding doors and they won't open on their own, I have to manually do it.

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Thursday, July 9th, 2020 AT 3:49 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Okay, you have low battery voltage.

Like I stated in my first post, you need to charge the battery, not jump it.

Once it is charged, then check the charging system to be sure the alternator is working.

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

Roy

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Thursday, July 9th, 2020 AT 4:09 PM