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Hey guys (and gals). I searched the forums and other sites and I’m looking for the Fuel Pump pressure specs for my 2001 Pontiac Grand Am 3.4L. I’m thinking around 35 PSI with key on and 59 PSI or so at idle. Sound right? My car is down right now and I’m suspecting fuel pump. Getting ready to test pressure when I borrow a tester from the auto parts store. thanks.
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Update: Before renting a fuel pressure test kit from my local parts store ($150 to rent but refund on return), I sprayed starter fluid in the throttle body (took off air filter supply hose) and using the starter fluid, the car started and I left it running for about 15 minutes and it ran fine except for the idle surge it has had for a couple years now. So, I bought a fuel filter thinking maybe that is the problem. Don’t have time to put it on today so will put in on probably Saturday. Do you think that might be the problem? I have had rough running conditions for a couple weeks before this – poor gas mileage, bogging down some on hills, etc. The fuel pump fuse is good, the relay works and as I said, it started and ran for about 15 minutes after spraying the starter fluid in it. Noticed no issues while letting it run after spraying the starter fluid, other than the surge in idle that I have had for a couple years now. Thanks for your time for any input! 🙂
Hey all! I’ll post this again since my reply might have gotten lost in the shuffle yesterday. My car turns over but won’t start. (It’s a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am 3.4L). I suspected fuel pump. Fuse was good, relay works, and when I sprayed starter fluid into the throttle, it started and ran like a top other than an idle surge which is has had for a few years now. I let it run for about 15 minutes and gave it good, aggressive pumps on the accelerator several times and it continued to run fine. I suspected the fuel filter might be bad. I was going to rent a tester and check the fuel pressure but thought there was no use since it ran for so long without any type of stall. I bought a fuel filter but won’t have time to put it on until tomorrow (if the weather cooperates). Does anyone think the filter might be the problem?? Thanks in advance!
Hi folks. Posted this in another area yesterday and didn’t get any ideas after my update post so though I’d post it here.
My car turns over but won’t start. (It’s a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am 3.4L). I suspected fuel pump. Fuse was good, relay works, and when I sprayed starter fluid into the throttle, it started and ran like a top other than an idle surge which is has had for a few years now. I let it run for about 15 minutes and gave it good, aggressive pumps on the accelerator several times and it continued to run fine. I suspect the fuel filter might be bad. I was going to rent a tester and check the fuel pressure but thought there was no use since it ran for so long without any type of stall so I figured the fuel pump has to be working. I bought a fuel filter but won’t have time to put it on until tomorrow (if the weather cooperates). Does anyone think the filter might be the problem or would other issues might exist?? Thanks in advance!
If spraying starter fluid in the intake got it to start.
I would suspect fuel.The fuel filter is a good place to start.Thanks college man. I finally got around to the filter last evening, got the hose w/connector off the filter, the “bolt” end was pure b***h, so slept on it and tried it again today. Got the filter off. Now the next issue: The connector clamp on the new filter (Fram) is a sky blue type of connector but the one on the old filter/fuel line is a green clip that pops on and off the line when the filter is connected. Not sure if I should use the old green clip? Looks like I need some type of fuel line adapter end to be able to accept the light blue clip on the new filter. Any thoughts??
Yes collegeman, that line clamp looks like the one on my new one but it’s sky blue color. The filter was changed 4 years or so when my Mom owned the car (when he replaced the fuel pump – a used one I might add (the pump). He might have used a different clip (the green one I mentioned) instead of the original one.
This pic might help if others run across the issue. New filter has clamp in place, old filter and green type clamp.
I’m thinking that is the best course too. I might add a small hose clamp to it also to ensure it won’t leak since I don’t know of popping the green one off might have damaged it. It still looks good though. Old filter poured out fuel that was black but blew through filter and it’s not clogged up so I’m afraid the fuel filter won’t help the non-start issue. I’ll post the results after the filter replacement. Thanks college man!
Okay, so after about 1 week of no start condition (unless starter fluid was sprayed in the the throttle, then it would start and run ok), got the fuel filter changed an hour or so. [Removed the previously mentioned sky blue fuel line clip and used the green old clip]. Primed the fuel system by cycling the ignition by turning the key a few times (key only not starting it) then it started right up after a 5 second or so rough start, probably still due to the fuel needing to pressurize the system. Ran fine, idled fine (no more idle surge!) Test drove it and performed fine, turned it off and on several times and hit the accelerator to bump up RPM’s beyond normal driving stress. All post filter checks work fine. Got my fingers crossed!! I did hear something rattling when I later looked at the old filter. Besides being extremely dirty, possibly something broke in the filter. Lesson Learned: Buy good gas and keep your tank about at least 1/2 full to cover the fuel pump and to prevent bad gas contaminates (rust, water, etc) from your filter and engine and also 1/2 to cover most of the fuel pump to avoid it getting too hot, etc. and wearing out faster. Thanks college man for your help and once again, I’m reminded why I love the ETCG videos and Forum!! Stay dirty friends. I am and I reek of gasoline as well, 🙂
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