• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

grand prix wont start, fuel pump is good.

1986c10

1986c10

New member
Hi, i have a 97 grand prix 3.8 that i got for cheap. Car originally wouldnt hold a charge (alternator) but would start when jumped. Now after fixing that it ran good. Today after a week of sitting, the car turns over great but wouldnt even attempt to run. I pulled the fuel pump out and had it tested, sprayed gas everywhere once it got hooked up to a battery so thats good. Im gonna assume its not getting spark. Bad coils? plugs? wires? the car has a bunch of wires cut behind the cd deck and other places. none of the interior stuff works and it makes a click about 3seconds after i hit a overhead light switch or turn on the deck almost like its popping a fuse. dont know if this is related but i figured id say it. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks guys
 


could be the crank sensor... these cars are kinda known for it... easy way to check is to see if you have injector pulse with a test light, and check for spark... if you don't have either its probably the crank sensor... i am assuming yiu have check all fuses?
 
okay wouldnt that just retard or advance the timing enough to where it wouldnt run? if thats it i'll be happy cause theyre like 10 bucks haha. Thanks for the input!
 
It has spark but it seems pretty weak. Is the crank sensor difficult to get to? one guy told me you have to take out the passenger wheel and suspension then remove the harmonic balancer and its behind it...
 
The crank sensor can cause no spark, but not weak spark, it's kinda a yes or no thing. You have fuel pressure at the rail and injector pulse?
 
weak spark is questionable but it definitely had spark. I am not sure on that, i did have moisture on the plugs after pulling them, cleaning them, reinstalling, then turning it over. I dont have a psi reading on pressure. not sure on inector pulse, could i just remove one and turn it over and make sure its spraying?
 


What you need to do is check and see if you have fuel at the shrader valve on the fuel rail. Pull the cap off let someone crank it and you press that valve down fuel should spray out. If,your second guessing that pop the air box off and spray some either into the throttle body while cranking. To check injector pulse you need a noid light. If its got spark and its cranking then it sounds definately like a fuel issue. Out of gas maybe? Sounds dumb but it happens more than you think lol :)
 
excellent advice thank you very much. when i had the fuel pump out, the tank had alot of debri in it. Im gonna assume the fuel filter may be clogged or some fuse is blown. I'll be sure to check if its getting fuel when i get out of work. Thanks!
 
The click you hear is the fuel pump relay coming on in the front of the car. You have a another FP relay in the back under the car. Theres a wire from it to your fuel pump. Take it off and pull it apart to check the contacts and to test it.

I was having the same issue with my 97. Click the link in my sig if you want to read more. :)
 
okay, the clicking happens anytime i hit anything like a door switch, cd player, overhead light etc (all of which dont work). I can hear the fuel pump running when i turn the key etc so i think the relay is fine.
 
i pressed the schrader valve and gas sprayed pretty good so its getting gas to the rails. it kinda stumbled and almost started when i was turning it over. My thinking is that its either getting very very very weak spark, timing is jumped, or crank position sensor is bad. Also, i hear clicking when i turn the key fully to engage the starter from the fuse box
 


Do this, this will tell you if its a fuel problem. Spray some either into the intake not alot just squirt some in their while someone cranks it over. if it starts and runs then its not getting enough fuel. Also you may pull a plug and make sure their not soaked in gas.
 
okay, i tried to but my can of starting fluid was empty. i'll try again tomorrow. plug was a little damp the other day when i tried. i'll inspect further tomorrow. thanks for the advice!
 
mine is the regular l36 not the l67 and i believe only the l67 had a fuel pump resistor for the high and low speed on the fuel pump. im gonna try and get it to fire a few cylinders with starting fluid and if that works i'll test fuel pressure.
 


You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top