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ghostrider
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Jul 13, 2010, 3:20 PM
Post #1 of 23
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fuel pump
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I just had my fuel pump replaced because I was told that was the reason my car was hard to start.I was towed back in because my car wouldn't start again.I used a mallet on the gas tank,and it ran for 5 minutes,then died again.I was told today that something is burning out the fuel pump.Is that possible?I never heard of a fuel pump burning out.I feel like I may be taken for a sucker.I own a 02 GM Saturn L300 series sedan with a 3.1 l engine with 132000 miles
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 13, 2010, 3:36 PM
Post #2 of 23
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They have a known problem with the connectors at the pump that reduces voltage to the pump and will cause premature failure plus the poor contact alone can prevent it from running. This is so common that most quality replacement pumps come with a new connector. If you didn't use a Delco pump, I wouldn't be surprised if it failed immediately.
You can also burn one out by just running it out or really low of fuel.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 13, 2010, 3:36 PM)
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ghostrider
User
Jul 14, 2010, 6:49 AM
Post #3 of 23
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Re: fuel pump
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I was told something about too much power going to the fuel pump,causing it to overheat,then burnout.I have lost my job and soon to be evicted because of this.I have found out from the tow truck driver that towed me in that,this mechenic has a tendensy to say he fixes things,but in reality did nothing.I feel that I am being taken.The thing that seems funny is that if I use a rubber mallet and hit the gas tank,my car will start.Something just doesn't sound right to me
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 14, 2010, 6:54 AM
Post #4 of 23
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Well, if you think he never put a pump into it in the first place, I guess that's possible. You'd have to pull it out of the tank to examine it to find out. Forget the too much power theory though. Too little power is what you have to be concerned with.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 14, 2010, 6:54 AM)
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ghostrider
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Jul 14, 2010, 7:03 AM
Post #5 of 23
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The strange thing about it is that 2 days after I got my car back,my car won't start again.I turned the key a few times and it started up.Car ran fine for 3 weeks,then last Thursday,wouldn't start.Tow truck driver hit the gas tank twice while I was trying to start the car.It started,but it was definitely the fuel pump was no good.Car ran for 5 minutes,then died on me
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 14, 2010, 8:24 AM
Post #6 of 23
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So, why aren't you just bringing it back to the guy that put the pump in and tell him your having a problem with his job?
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ghostrider
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Jul 14, 2010, 10:03 AM
Post #7 of 23
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Re: fuel pump
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I did have it towed back to him Saturday.he told me yesterday(car was suppose to be ready)that supposedly that something is burning out the fuel pump.According to him,after the new fuel pump was put in,the car ran for a couple of minutes,then died out and wouldn't start AGAIN
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 14, 2010, 10:19 AM
Post #8 of 23
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Then he's misdiagnosing the problem. The pump didn't burn out in 5 minutes. Something else is preventing the pump from working.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
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Jul 14, 2010, 6:06 PM
Post #9 of 23
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ghostrider; HT is absolutely correct. Do not use any pump other than factory replacement. And, replace the fuel filter at the same time. A restricted filter can cause pump failure. If I'm not mistaken, the fuel pressure regulator is integrated in the filter...expensive.
Loren
SW Washington
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ghostrider
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Jul 15, 2010, 7:58 AM
Post #10 of 23
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Re: fuel pump
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They finally ran a check on the car.Was told that there was a short in the wires somewhere behind the firewall that was supposelty sending too much current causing the fuel pump to burn out.Was charged only labor for 4 hrs even tho the car was on the rack for 2 days
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 15, 2010, 8:02 AM
Post #11 of 23
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That's pure nonsense and total lies. Not even possible. They misdiagnosed the first repair and never should have charged you twice.
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ghostrider
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Jul 15, 2010, 11:33 AM
Post #12 of 23
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Re: fuel pump
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I haven't paid.I told him that I was taking him to court.I talked to a lawyer and was told that I have a legit case against him.lawyer called him and told him that if he didn't fix the car for free,he'd be paying me 2,000.
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
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Jul 15, 2010, 3:06 PM
Post #13 of 23
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ghostrider; Again, HT is absolutely correct. Agree 100%.
Loren
SW Washington
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ghostrider
User
Jul 16, 2010, 2:29 PM
Post #14 of 23
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Re: fuel pump
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I got my car back yesterday and it ran great till about an hour ago.Again it won't start.I am at wits end.
I went to the shop and told them that it won't start again and was told to bring it in on Monday.they acted surprised
(This post was edited by ghostrider on Jul 16, 2010, 2:29 PM)
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
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Jul 16, 2010, 2:38 PM
Post #15 of 23
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ghostrider; Might be time to get a second opinion? HT is right. If they are just throwing parts at it until it's fixed.....If they threw any parts at it at all.....
Loren
SW Washington
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ghostrider
User
Jul 21, 2010, 9:26 AM
Post #16 of 23
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Re: fuel pump
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I just checked on my car and was told that now it's not the fuel pump.Supposedly there is a short somewhere in the wiring.The guy that does the troubleshooting will not look at the car anymore because he said that he did what he could.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 21, 2010, 9:33 AM
Post #17 of 23
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Then what you do now is you take it somewhere else and get it fixed and bring them the bill. If they won't pay it, take them to court.
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ghostrider
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Jul 21, 2010, 10:23 AM
Post #18 of 23
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I wish I could,but since my car is down,I have used up all my savings to try and get my car fixed.I can't even buy groceries and I have no one to turn to.Can I get it fixed somewhere else and have the bill sent to them?
(This post was edited by ghostrider on Jul 21, 2010, 10:26 AM)
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
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Jul 21, 2010, 6:14 PM
Post #19 of 23
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ghostrider; The 'guy that does the troubleshooting' obviously didn't do what you have paid him to do. No one is perfect. But, if he can't find the problem, you shouldn't be charged. That is what you are paying for. An answer. If he has sold you 'a fix' (in this case, a fuel pump) and the fix that he charged you for didn't fix the problem, then at the very least, he should put your old pump back in (at no charge), refund you, and say "Sorry, just can't figure it out". I have had to do the same thing. If I can't, at least tell the customer what is wrong, I do not charge them. For anything. If I've put on a part that didn't fix it, I'll remove it, and put on the original part at MY expense. It's not the customer's fault that I can't diagnose the problem! In my humble opinion, you should give them the choice: Put your old fuel pump back in and give you a full refund, or take them to court. File a grievance with your local BBB. You don't need a lawyer for a small claims action. Save all of your paperwork.
I'm not taking anything away from the tech. Some problems can be a real nightmare to find and repair. All of us run into that, now and then. There comes a point when one needs to swallow his pride (or ego) and admit he just doesn't know. But, you can't charge a customer for not knowing. Period.
Loren
SW Washington
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jul 21, 2010, 10:13 PM
Post #20 of 23
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Man I've been down this road too many times....
GMs have a big problem with their connecters, specifically pin tension. What I've run into in the past with high load devises that fail on GMs, when they go, they'll overheat the circuit and weaken the pins. The tension gets very weak so they still make contact but when the circuit gets warm or the car hits a bump the pin gets so weak it breaks contact and creates an open circuit. The circuit cools the pin makes contact again and the circuit is complete..
Just have your guy look at a wiring diagram and open up all the connecter in that circuit for the fuel pump, all the way to the 12v power source. More than likely he will find one that is brown or even melted.... The easiest fix is to bypass the gang connector and make a single circuit for the bad pin.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 22, 2010, 2:43 AM
Post #21 of 23
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Yeah, I warned him about that back in the beginning of this thread but apparently he's working with a guy that just wants to take the money and run.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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ghostrider
User
Jul 22, 2010, 9:43 AM
Post #22 of 23
(1746 views)
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I had another person look at my car,when he turned the key,he noticed that the gas gauge did not move,but after 30 sec-1 min,the gauge moved to where it's suppose to be.he then tried to start the car and it turned over.I want to thank you all who gave my very valuable info.I will stop being a burden to you all.take care
Ghostrider
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Sidom
Veteran
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Jul 22, 2010, 10:04 AM
Post #23 of 23
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Sorry HT I just skimmed the thread and you are correct about the pump connector. The ones I am referring to are upstream in the main harness. The problems like this one that I've inherited at work, most of the time I've found overheated pin connectors in the gang connections of main harnesses. There's really only a few connectors that need to be opened up or doing a voltage drop test on the circuit should show something you would think...
No burden at all GR, that's what this site if for....... Once you do find the problem, we would luv to know what the final fix was
(This post was edited by Sidom on Jul 22, 2010, 10:05 AM)
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