1999 Pontiac Grand Am Fuel pump?

CRAIGF223

MEMBER
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
91,000 MILES

For the last couple of years, my car has occasionally made a funny, low-pitched whine noise eminating from the back of the car. It only happens every 5 months or so. The sound only last 10-15 mins. And at times, seems to change pitch when I hit the brake pedal. There have been no other problems until now, when I lost power at a stop light. It started back up and down the road lost power again, but went when I floored it. When I got home I heard that sound, which got higher pitched until it died, starved of gas possibly. I started it back up, and same thing - the whine gets higher then the car dies. A few hours later I started it up and it ran fine, with no unusual sounds.
I think the fuel pump is going out, but it has been making this sound on and off for years.
I can't get a mechanic to look at it because it always clears up by the time I get to the shop.
Any ideas?

1 Reply

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

You could get yourself a mechanical fuel pressure gauge and test it yourself when the whining occurs. Then report it to the mechanic, but it does sound like a fuel pump.
The sound usually gets louder just before the pump goes out for good.

Running the car out of fuel will contribute to this condition, since fuel actually cools the pump.