96 GT won't start. Need to get to work. Help!

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Nov 28, 2011

#1

• Nov 28, 2011

• #1

So I just went out to get ready for work and the car won't start. She NEVER lets me down . Here's what I've checked:

She turns over fine. Won't start.
It's NOT PATS. I tried the spare key and have no theft light.
The fuel pump is running. I can here it running when I turn the key just like usual.
However, when I pressed the shrader valve, I only got one short squirt of fuel. Now I have NO FUEL PRESSURE.
I recently changed the fuel filter.
So, I'm pretty sure it's not the pump or the filter. Here's what I'm wondering.

Yesterday I drove home from Thanksgiving weekend at my parents house. Ten hours straight driving, in the rain (I don't think rain would in any way affect fuel flow though.)

Also, my driveway is very steep and I am parked facing uphill right now with only a quarter tank of gas or maybe less. Is it possible that car is angled in a way that the pump can't get gas? I've parked this way with low gas before and didn't have this problem. I'm going to keep troubleshooting but any help you guys can give would be appreciated.

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Nov 28, 2011

#2

• Nov 28, 2011

• #2

Oh and I guess I should add that the reason I haven't just leveled the car out and tried to start it is because the only way to do that is to back my car onto the street. If that isn't the problem, it's stuck on the street and I can't leave it there. There's no way it could be pushed back up into the driveway. It's too steep.

 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician

Aug 14, 2009

5,892

514

204

Houston Texas

Nov 28, 2011

#3

• Nov 28, 2011

• #3

If you spary a small amount of starting fluid, will it start?

Why not add some gas to the tank?

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Nov 28, 2011

#4

• Nov 28, 2011

• #4

Yea I plan to try both of those ideas in the morning. It's just that I realized it wouldn't start two hours before work so I didn't have time to work on it too much. I'm in the military so being late isn't really an option.

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Nov 29, 2011

#5

• Nov 29, 2011

• #5

Ok so I just added gas. I have half a tank now. There's no reason the hill should be causing problems anymore. I turned the key to power multiple times to let the pump prime. Tried to start it...still no go. Tried a small amount of starting fluid...still no go. I still get the same result and the shrader valve: a quick little spurt and then nothing....no fuel pressure. I hate to pay money for a tow and a shop to repair it because I know it's going to end up being something I could have fixed, but I'm running out of ideas. I don't see anything that would be causing a vacuum leak, but it's hard to test for one without the engine running. Does anyone have any other ideas? If I don't get this thing fixed by the end of the night I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and pay someone else. I really don't want to do that...

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Nov 30, 2011

#6

• Nov 30, 2011

• #6

Wow...so I paid $45 to tow her to the dealer and when I got her off the wrecker....she started right up. Haha seriously?? So, I guess it did have to do with being parked facing up a steep driveway. I don't know...

 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member

Oct 10, 2000

1,427

6

79

Chesterfield, MO

Nov 30, 2011

#7

• Nov 30, 2011

• #7

Skidzz:

My interweb telepathic ESP diagnosis is: it's the fuel pump going out.

Mine did the same thing: ran fine, shut it off, let it sit, start it up but nothing. Towed to the shop, started right up. Technician let it run for 15 minutes and it quit. New FP and all is well. Not bad for the original pump and 50,0xx miles! The ride on the tow truck probably thumped the pump back to life (briefly) but the pump is going to quit at any moment.

HTH,

Chris

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Dec 1, 2011

#8

• Dec 1, 2011

• #8

Funny you should say that...because I just went out to drive to work and....DEAD AGAIN. But I can hear the pump running everytime I turn it to battery. Can the pump run and not pump?

 

R

rconaway

Founding Member

Nov 11, 1999

1,415

3

39

Phoenix, Az.

Dec 1, 2011

#9

• Dec 1, 2011

• #9

I agree nyuk98gt. I think your fuel pump has seen better days. The only way to tell for sure though, is to take the car down to autozone or someone similiar that rents fuel pressure gauges and watch it.

 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician

Aug 14, 2009

5,892

514

204

Houston Texas

Dec 2, 2011

#10

• Dec 2, 2011

• #10

Don't risk it. Replace the fuel pump while it can still be used to drain the tank.

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Dec 7, 2011

#11

• Dec 7, 2011

• #11

Well I got a call from the dealership and it turns out it's the crank sensor. I thought it was weird that it would be the pump when I could clearly hear it running.

 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member

Oct 10, 2000

1,427

6

79

Chesterfield, MO

Dec 7, 2011

#12

• Dec 7, 2011

• #12

Skidzz:

Thanks for posting the update. Your wallet will appreciate the difference between the little crank sensor and the whole FP replacement thing.

Glad to hear the '96 is back on the road.

Chris

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Dec 7, 2011

#13

• Dec 7, 2011

• #13

Yep. It'll be nice to have her back. I'm out of town right now but she's ready when I get back. Thanks for the advice guys. This is a good learning experience for next time.

 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member

Oct 10, 2000

1,427

6

79

Chesterfield, MO

Dec 7, 2011

#14

• Dec 7, 2011

• #14

Skidzz:

Not technical but thanks for your service to our country. You military types rock!

Chris

 

Skidzz

Tinkerbell

Apr 11, 2005

328

1

19

Salt Lake City, UT

Dec 7, 2011

#15

• Dec 7, 2011

• #15

Thanks for the support man