Whats wrong with my car????
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock Ar
Whats wrong with my car???? well i got in my car and moved it so I could put my cap on my cutout and when i got back in it to leave it wouldnt start. Its turns over but wont start. I noticed when I try to start it the gas gauge falls. And when my car wasnt running the oil gauge was sitting on 40 then I try to start it and it falls to zero intill I stop trying to crank it ? I checked all the fuses none are blow. This really sucks I just got a new pcm put in like a month ago.
Your gauges are pretty much irrelevant unless the car is running. It could be a number of things, first you need to start with the basics, figure out if you're getting spark/fuel. You can check this by removing plug wire from a plug(keeping it plugged into the coil pack) putting a long screw driver in it without damaging it, you just want it to fit inside and touch metal. Crank on it while a friend watchs the screw driver to see if it sparks, may take a few cranks for it that one to spark. If you are getting spark, then you're problem is fuel. Could be a fuse... fuel pump, plenty of things. Did you get the new PCM flashed and programmed to your VIN? This could be the stem of your issues although in most cases if you don't do this, the VATS system locks you out and you can't even crank the motor over.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
+1 for fuel pump. how often do you run your car to nearly empty? FWIW, you should never, ever under any circumstances run your car below a quarter tank of gasoline. keeping your gas tank filled both cools the fuel pump and causes it to suck less air and in turn work less. nothing is worse for your fuel pump than making it suck air and sediment from the bottom of a near empty tank, and nothing makes it run hotter.
Originally Posted by ChocoTaco369
+1 for fuel pump. how often do you run your car to nearly empty? FWIW, you should never, ever under any circumstances run your car below a quarter tank of gasoline. keeping your gas tank filled both cools the fuel pump and causes it to suck less air and in turn work less. nothing is worse for your fuel pump than making it suck air and sediment from the bottom of a near empty tank, and nothing makes it run hotter.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
Originally Posted by DANSBIRD
While I'm not dissagreeing w/ you (b/c frankly, i dont really know).... Iv heard many people say this is false. As long as fuel is being pumped through the pump, its fine. Whether it has low fuel or not, its still pulling fuel through. I could be wrong, but I kind of agree w/ this considering im still on my stock fuel pump (knock on wood) after 4+ years and 125k miles and many many many many many times of running it waaaaay low. Once, i refilled and put 16.3 gallons in the tank. Not saying you're wrong... just sayin...
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
Originally Posted by bww3588
Thats Right Bitch! Whos Your Daddy! Huh? Choco Is! What Now!
i don't know about owned...he wasn't being argumentative or anything
he's okay in my book, i didn't have to bring out the big guns
my mom burnt up the pump in her 03 sonata. she is notorious for letting the needle hang lower than ron jeremy's dick. her car has 55k miles on it. mine has 57 and still ticking. i never let it go past 1/4. most of the time i fill up on 1/2 empty.
I never rock out with more than 1/4 tank of gas. 7lbs per gallon is too damn heavy.... 
The burnt fuel pump is a possibility. Try turning the key on and listening for the pump to come on, if it does, we can move on to something else.
The burnt fuel pump is a possibility. Try turning the key on and listening for the pump to come on, if it does, we can move on to something else.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
the best way to find out of you have a fuel pump problem involves 2 people. turn your key and have someone smack the side of your gas tank. if the car starts up after the smack, your fuel pump is burning out.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
Originally Posted by 99Transamls1
well when I turn my key my fuel pump is turning on. And yes I did get my pcm flashed at the dealership when they installed it.
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 993
Likes: 3
From: Waukesha,WI
Did you check spark yet? To check if you have fueal pressure you can pull the little cap off the end of the fueal rail and press the thing that looks like a valve stem core and see if fuel comes out. careful tho it will spray quite a bit if it does have pressure.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock Ar
yeah I banged on the side of the tank while someone tried to start it. I will go check and see if there is pressure and a spark. I wonder if it could be the fuel filter?