Fuel filter or pump

Tiny
JENNIFER DECKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
I ran car low on fuel. Used a fuel can to put gas back in car. Little did I know, the gas can had some water in it. I can't get the car to start back at all now. Only put gallon and a half of gas back in it with very little water. Fuel pump still kicks on. But car won't start. Not getting fuel at throttle body. So could it possibly be just stopped up at filter? Or is it the pump?
Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 2:30 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Honestly, you probably just need more gas to get it going. When a car runs out of gas, the fuel system often has to be primed again, so it cant have any air in the line. I'd get someone to turn the key on while I lay on the ground, near the fuel tank, and listen for a nice smooth humming sound that lasts for 2 seconds after the key is switched on. Thats the fuel pump doing a quick prime. If you hear that, then put another 4 or 5 gallons in it. Then get in the car and turn the key on for 3 seconds but do not try to start it. Switch it off, then on again. Repeat at least 15 times. Now try starting it.

Let us know what happens and we'll go from there.

Harry
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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Oh and if you're concerned about there being water present in the tank, try some "dry gas" or whatever the local parts store calls it. It's just a bottle 9f stuff that helps to get the water out of the system without taking out the tank and cleaning it.
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
JENNIFER DECKER
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  • 6 POSTS
I have added a bottle of heet to the fuel tank. Fuel pump is still kicking on and priming. So I will run and get more gas now and try it. Talk to you soon. Thank you.
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
JENNIFER DECKER
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It's still not starting. Has over quarter tank of gas in it now. But I have noticed my security light is staying on.
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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Ah, do the security relearn on it then. Turn the key on but do not crank the engine. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Turn it off for at least 10 seconds. Repeat 2 times more. After the third time turning it off for 10 seconds, crank it. If the procedure worked, then you're all set. If not, try the whole thing once more, then we'll get into troubleshooting it.
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
JENNIFER DECKER
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  • 6 POSTS
I don't know if it makes a difference or not. But right after I added the fuel that had water in it, the car started. But as soon as I put it in gear it shut off and hasn't started back since. I've added a bottle of heet to the tank, along with more gas. So there's almost 5 gallon in it. Over quarter tank. Whenever I go to reset security on it will it make a difference if the emergency brake is on or not?
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Thursday, July 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
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Okay. Noted. As for the emergency brake, it won't matter if it's on or off. Let us know how it goes with the relearn process.
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Thursday, July 18th, 2019 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
JENNIFER DECKER
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Car still isn't wanting to start.
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Thursday, July 18th, 2019 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
JENNIFER DECKER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Security light is off now. But car still isn't wanting to start.
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Saturday, July 20th, 2019 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
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Okay, I think there are 3 directions to go here. If you haven't checked your fuses, then that's what I'd do next. The under hood fuse block or Power Distribution Center should have fuses and relays for the pump, injectors, and various computers. Check those all to see if any are blown. Replace and retest as necessary. If there's nothing there, then I'd go down to the local parts shop and borrow a fuel pressure test gauge. What you do is pull the fuse fir the fuel pump, turn the starter for at least 10 seconds, hook the gauge up to the Schrader valve (the one you referenced earlier), turn the key on and off a few times, and then read the pressure.

With the key switched on, engine off, the gauge should be between 52 and 59 psi. Without that much pressure, the car will not run. If it's just a few psi low, then try just changing the filter. If its 0, then you either have a dead pump or no power at the pump. Further diagnostics would be needed.

I'm attaching the official fuel pressure test in the images below. Do what you can there.
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Sunday, July 21st, 2019 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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And here is the actual fuel system diagnostic flow chart. It's a little techy, but you seem savvy enough to get through it.
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Sunday, July 21st, 2019 AT 12:52 PM

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