the other week i was driving down the road and the car just stalled out, immediatly i replaced the fuel filter, still wouldnt start, now by starting i mean the engine would crank just wouldnt turn over, so it sat in a parking lot and got towed to my place, i let it sit for mabey a week. so i put the keys in and it started, i drove it around thinking perhaps the problem fixed itself (ha stupid me ) after driving for about 30 miles it crapped out on me again, i tried checking the fuel pressure but my tester was broken so thats out, last year i replaced my injectors, fuel rail and everything else back to the filter, also just recently replaced my cap, rotor, and wires. i had also pulled up some codes, 23, 24, 44, and 45. now im assuming that it is the fuel pump, would i be correct to think so??? well, thank you all in advance for the help, btw the car is a 1991 firebird, 3.1L

 

Can you hear the pump prime when you turn the key from off to run? You should hear it hum when it comes on and it shoudl run for about 5-45 seconds cold. If it doesn't hum, listen for the relay under the hood. Normally it'll click when you turn the key to the on position. Even if the relay is bad, it should automatically bypass when oil pressure is produced.

I'd say it's pretty likely it's a bad pump, but a couple minutes diagnosing the problem might save you some money and a bunch of time.

 

well i was just down at the car, and no i do not hear the pump prime when i turn the key, also i raplaced the relay just to make sure that wasnt the problem as well,just to be sure, the fuel pump relay is one of the tree relays in the far right corner (in front of the drivers side) correct? i did a trial and error between the three... the codes 23 and 24 point to the O2 sensor, would that cause any problems with the fuel pump? i replaced the 02 sensor no more then a year ago.

 

heres what the codes mean:
23- manifold air temp. sensor
24- vehicle speed sensor
44- lean exhaust
45- rich exhaust
these codes are for a camaro so i assume they may be the same

 

Now is the time to invest in a Chilton's or Haynes manual. You need to pull the wire plug off of the fuel pump relay and jump it with a jumper wire to make your fuel pump come on. If you don't hear it run, then you know what to do...

You also need to invest in another fuel pressure test gauge. It sucks when you're on a budget but if you're doing it yourself you just have to.

Good luck!

 

witch one of the three relays is the one for the fuel pump? i looked in haynes manual and couldnt find it, but i did read something about the diagnostics port the bottom left one is for energizing the fuel pump, but i cant figure out how to do it, any ideas?

 

The relay is the one closest to the fender on the driver side. I think you can jump A and E (read your manual to make sure) on the connector and you should hear the fuel pump prime up. If you don't hear it, then you are in for a treat of replacing your fuel pump. Also make sure all fuses to the pump are good. Good luck and let us know what happens.

-Buck

 

If you do change the pump, don't re-use the pulsator (piece of plastic between the pump output and fuel pipe) because its old o-rings can leak. Either spend $50 for a new pulsator or do what I did, and just put in a small piece of high-pressure fuel line (came with my pump).

And for electrical or engine diagnostic, skip the Haynes and Chiltons, and get the GM Service Manual from http://www.helminc.com - I still use my Haynes for mechanical procedures (such as, rebuilding my front suspension), but the GM Book is the one I go to when I have to do any troubleshooting.

 

well the tow truck just picked it up today, its at my uncles shop, ill let ya know when i get a diagnostic, ty for the help

 

HELP- I have a similiar problem. My car has been having starting problems ever since it got cold. After letting the car sit over night or several hours in extreme cold, the motor wont start. It turns, sometimes it begins to kick over and then stops, other times it just turns and turns.

Generally i just wait about 10 minutes and try again, and usually it works. During the 13k miles that ive owned this car for, its been tuned up many times. It has a brand new fuel pump, ecu, etc.

Could this be an internal problem? Can anyone help me?