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Ohhh the agony!

W

wallyd

New member
Hello guys. This is my first time posting here. Been a long time fan of Pontiac's & GM in general. I've been working on a restomod 1984 Trans Am for the past few years, and decided to take it off the road this year to redo the interior and give it an overhaul. I decided to pickup a 2004 Grand Prix GTP "Comp G" since I know the 3800's are extremely reliable. Well, unfortunately, it seems as if I got screwed by the dealership here in MA that I bought the car from and have had nothing but problems the past 2 months. First I got the "Check Gas Cap" light, and after looking on here and other sites I replaced the Evap canister in the back behind the rear drivers side wheel, and the purge valve on top of the motor. That cleared the light, and all seemed well for a few days. Then, I got an SRS light with a code that said I had an "Open Deployment Loop" (I'll grab the exact codes ASAP and post them here).. as I was researching for that light, I decided to see a friend in Rhode Island. On my way back home from Rhode Island on Saturday, the car flashed "Low fuel" and then died on the highway. I got it towed home, hooked it up to my scanner and didn't find any codes. So, I replaced the battery since it was rather old and the car isn't starting. Checked the spark plugs to see if they had got fouled in some way, but they appeared bone dry. I checked the fuse box in the engine compartment, and didn't see anything out of ordinary.

Ironically, I was working on a "how to" sort of document to help out on the site with fixing the CEL for the Gas cap since it seems to be a frequent question with a lot of confusion here. Just so happens that my car decided to **** the bed this weekend, and I had to come here for help! So since there isn't any codes, where would the best place to start be?

Oh, I should mention that the car cranks but won't fire up no matter what. I also read that it could be the neutral safety switch, so I moved the shifter from "P" to "M" and then back to Park. I also wiggled the steering wheel to see if maybe it was a problem with the coil spring. Still didn't start.

If it were a camshaft sensor, wouldn't I get a CEL of some kind? Any pointers?
 


ok so theres gas in the tank? it said low fuel so ill ask.....

have you checked for spark or fuel at the fuel rail yet? theres a valve on the rail, open the cap push the valve in if gas sprays out, at least you know its getting fuel. can you hear the pump prime when you first turn the key to run?

if you dont hear it prime, a little hum lasts about 3 to 5 seconds, and the rail is dry, the pump may have taken a dump on ya.

the air bag light, open loop driver side, could be the clock spring under the steering wheel. or a dirty plug to the clock spring or under the seat. all yellow plugs are air bag related. theres one by the obd2 port, and one under the d/s seat. do you have radio controls on the wheel? if so do they work still? or even light up any more at night? if you have radio controls and they died, id think the clock spring broke.

post the evap code your getting sounds like you changed most of what there is to be change, next would be to look for a leaking line either by the evap tank in the back wheel well, or off the engine to the purge solenoid.
 
I am getting spark but haven't checked the fuel rail, i'll do that tomorrow morning and check the yellow connections. My steering wheel controls were working, but i do feel a click in the steering from time to time.
 
Oh and any idea where i can find the right clock spring to keep the steering wheel controls? Cant seem to find it on rockauto.
 
I saw them on amazon and rock auto for like $60-80 but couldnt figure out what i needed. Oh and would the clock spring also control the paddle shifters? I would think it would... and i enjoy those :)
 


So i had my gf turn the car to ACC while i had my head in the trunk. Couldnt hear much. Then i found a valve on my fuel rail, pressed it in, and didnt even get the smell of gas on my finger. So im guessing its the pump sadly.
 
not sure if the 04 year got the trap door in the trunk. lift the carpet up if you see a oval panel bolted down your good to go as far as getting the pump out.

its nice if you dont have to drop the tank. in another thread someone gave the years that had it and the ones that dont, it may have been 05 and 06 that didnt get the trap door. iirc.
 
wallyd said:
So i had my gf turn the car to ACC while i had my head in the trunk. Couldnt hear much. Then i found a valve on my fuel rail, pressed it in, and didnt even get the smell of gas on my finger. So im guessing its the pump sadly.
Click to expand...

I don't think the pump will prime when the key is in ACC, just when you turn it further to the "start" position. Not 100% sure, never really listened for my pump when I turn it to ACC, just don't see why it would need to since it's not in the "run" position.
 


Alright so I replaced the pump + filter, and the car started right up! After driving for a day, I got a Check Gas Cap light again and a P0445 code. I've replaced the EVAP canister, and the purge valve on the motor.. so I guess maybe I'll go with what I should of replaced initially but doubted replacing: the actual gas cap. If that doesn't fix it, I guess I'll re-check the canister and make sure it's tight.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
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