1986 Pontiac Firebird

JOHNDEERE4504

MEMBER
1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
16,000 MILES

I have a 1986 pontiac firdbird and it got push in to a creek and I drain all the fluids out and put new ones in it and I put new gas in it to when I try to stat it it will run for about 30 second and die but when I turn it off the fuel pump stats pumping but when I stat it the fuel pump stops when it runs I think that the fuel pump gets anough gas pump up wen I turn it off that it run off that gas for about 30 seconds and dies so I was wanted to know what yall thought was wrong with my car

1 Reply

JSKELLY4693

MEMBER
22 POSTS

First off, if it got pushed into a creek, there's probably more than just the fuel pump wrong.

Usually, when you shut a car off, the fuel pump re-pressurizes the system for the next start (on my 91 Beretta, it stays on for anywhere from 2 - 6 seconds before the pump shuts off).

If you think it's the fuel pump, then replace it. But, I would also consider replacing the computer, and any other engine / drive train computer components as well.

I guess it depends on how far the water went up over the car. If just the bottom went under, then maybe it is just the fuel pump, if the whole car went under, I think you've got a big problem, and will have to start swapping out a lot of electrical equipment before it'll run right again.

Find a local junk yard that has your type of car there, and tell them to hold it for you, because you might need a lot of parts off of it before yours runs again.