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Will not stay running, possible fuel pump issue

Tiny
LONGER47*
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN L300
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
I have changed the fuel pump and crankshaft sensor and fuel filter. There are no codes. There was 30 lb. Pressure on fuel rail. The car will start and then shut off right away. I have changed the relay for the fuel pump, and I jumped the relay, and it will pump up, so it works. But put the relay in and it will start and shut off. There is not enough fuel to keep it running. What will let the fuel pump put a little gas and turn off? Any ideas?
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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 12:47 AM

29 Replies

Tiny
LONGER47*
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I should have said that I drove the car to a friend's house, shut it off and when I went to leave the car would start and shut off. So tried to figure it out then had it towed to my house. Then I got a new fuel filter to put on. Then I got a new crankshaft sensor to put on. Then I got a new fuel pump and put that in and nothing, it did not not change a thing. Still the same as when it first started not running.
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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 1:13 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

When you jump the relay, will the vehicle continue running? If so and you checked the relay, we need to go backward to the main relay in the under-hood fuse block.

I attached the schematic below showing how power goes from the main relay to the fuel pump relay. Check to make sure it is good as well as the engine CNTL 3 fuse in the under-hood box. When checking the fuse, also make sure there is power to and from it. Here are two links you may find helpful when testing the fuses and the relay:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

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

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

Take care,

Joe

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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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Okay, jump the fuel pump relay and try starting the car and it does the same thing starts then shuts off. So, if the pump is running it won't start or so it is not a fuel pump problem. And I checked the main relay and the engine CNTL fuse all good.
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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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  • 18 POSTS
So, if it isn't the fuel pump what is not letting it run. I don't know what to check?
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Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 AT 11:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
Hi,

It could be a couple of things. Next, we need to confirm the fuel pressure is within the manufacturer's specs. Here is a link that explains how it's done:

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

If you look at the attachment, it provides the manufacturer's fuel pressure specifications.

The reason I'm suggesting this is because it starts and then stalls. The pressure may build enough to first start the engine but be unable to maintain it.

Let me know what you find. Also, if you don't have a fuel pressure gauge, most parts stores will lend one to you.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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Do you think it is ECM malfunction how do you check the ECM? I have had negative off the battery for a bit and that didn't do anything. I have a code reader but there are no codes. I am at a loss. Thank you for your time.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Anything is possible but chances are that isn't the issue. I suspect it is a fuel pressure issue.

Are you comfortable testing the pressure using the link I provided?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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  • 18 POSTS
Okay, with the key on it goes to 35PSI. So, it should have at least 45PSI. But I just put a new pump in it.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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  • 18 POSTS
So, does that mean the fuel pressure regulator is bad?
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Thursday, May 5th, 2022 AT 9:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

If the regulator is bad, chances are the pressure would be high. However, if a fuel injector is leaking, it will lower pressure. Do me a favor. Try starting it and then shortly after, remove one spark plug at a time to see if any are wet.

Also, when you check fuel pressure, did it drop off quickly when the key was released?

Let me know. Also, record it cranking and upload it so I can hear it.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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On this V6, the spark plugs are under the intake and coil pack over spark plugs. So it would be hard to pull plugs one at a time.
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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Also, the pressure dropped off right away.
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If it drops off that quick, there is a leak. If there is no evidence of a fuel leak that can be seen or smelled, the injector or injectors are likely leaking.

Sorry about that. I forgot the intake needs to be removed. Also, I had an afterthought. If you remove the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose and turn the key on, does any fuel come out of the vacuum connector location on the regulator?

I attached all the diagnostics below for fuel-related issues. Take a look through them and see if there is anything you feel may help. Based on what you told me, there has to be a leak at some point. Otherwise, it would hold pressure for at least five minutes before starting to drop.

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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I am trying to send you a video so you can listen to it when I start the car. But I'm not sure how to do that.
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You should be able to make the video using a cellphone and then upload it to your computer or send it from your phone. I'm not the greatest with phones, but I know it can be done.

Let me know if you can figure it out and I will see what I can find.

Joe
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 9:56 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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Sorry sent the wrong thing, but I am getting close.
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Friday, May 6th, 2022 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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Car starting.
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Saturday, May 7th, 2022 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
Hi,

Is it starting now and continuing to run? Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, May 7th, 2022 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
LONGER47*
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Nope, still doing the same thing. I have not got anywhere with it. I guess I need to go after injectors?
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Saturday, May 7th, 2022 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
Hi,

I need you to recheck for an RPM signal when cranking. When you first turn the key on, the fuel pump primes. When cranking, if there is no crankshaft signal, the PCM will not turn the fuel pump back on.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, May 8th, 2022 AT 7:06 PM

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