Before i ask the question is it okay if it is not 3rd gen related , need an opinion on my 2003 Grand Am ?

 

just shoot u might get the answer ur lookin for

 

Okay this is my wifes car so i don't drive it all the time but when i did the last few weekends it stated fine some times , then it would take a couple of tries too start other then that runs very good . Well took it today to go shopping and after shopping of coarse no start in the parking lot !!!! What i did notice is the fuel pump did not prime after turning key on an off a few times still could not hear pump prime . Popped the hood an took off fuse cover found relay for fuel pump an had wife turn on key an i could feel it activate every time key was turned on . So my best guess it is the fuel pump but how can i confirm this for sure . Had car towed home an tried to start it instead of pushing it in garage an it fired right up , heard the pump prime so i knew i was in luck except the towing bill .

 

That could apply to a thirdgen too.

Sometimes when a pump acts like that, when it fails to work you can smack the gas tank (dont dent it, but that one is probably plastic) and it causes enough of a jolt to the pump and its probably stuck position to start working. I would not drive the vehicle like that, I've seen them stop running as little as a block up the street, but at least that will let you know the problem is in the tank or the connections to the pump itself.

 

do you have an SES light? first it could also be a bad cam shaft sensor if equipped... I think it might have some control on the fuel pump via the PCM... did you check at the fuel rail for pressure? next time you have this problem you need to check for a spark (this is if you don't have coil overs) ... then check if you have pulse at the injectors... if you have both, then move on to the FPR, if the vacuum line is dry and doesn't smell of fuel or is wet, check for fuel pressure with a gauge... you can also disconnect the vacuum line of the FPR and have someone turn the key to the on position if there is any fuel squirting out.. then you know your fuel pressure regulator is faulty...

 

op said he couldnt hear the fuel pump so i dont think is the regulator..

if it happens again get access to the fuel pump wires and apply direct power to it if it dsnt prime than your fuel pump is bad

 

fuel pump isn't that loud to begin with... it's a faint buzz... and if it's a plastic tank, I would think it would insulate most of the noise... well checking the shraeder valve is a simple test.. ..

 

The pump diffenately is not turning on for sure an the relay is powering up then shutinng off after the two second timer . I will check the shraeder valve for pressure , make sure their is power at the connector an depending how difficult add my own 12 volt supply to the pump an see what happens . Then i wll smack the bottom of the plastic tank with a rubber mallet to see if it will jog the pump loose .

 

Well it took some time for it to act up again and it was the fuel pump , smacked the bottom of the tank an the way she went . I replaced the unit with a Delphi and new AC fuel filter what a difference in pressure the old unit was diffenately lugging big time . I APPRECIATE all the help an imput , we are good to go