Vapour Lock???

[Zorak]

What kind of sound should I be listening for? Never had to listen for a pump yet?

Fuel pump is inside the tank as part of the fuel pickup assembly. Have someone turn the key to "on" but not far enough to crank the starter. Standing by the back of the car you should be able to hear the pump come on (humming noise) for 1-2 seconds, then stop. If you don't hear it, you may have a bad pump or bad fuel pump relay. I would try replacing the relay first-much cheaper and easier than replacing the pump, which may involve having to drop the gas tank to get to it.

[JHarris1385]

Thanks for the info. Do pumps just all of a sudden go bad/fail. One minute it drives fine the next it just cranks. When it does start up it runs great. By relay do you mean the cube in the fuse panel?

[ZEUS]

If you run out of fuel and try to keep going or crank the motor hoping it will start you could burn up a fuel pump. The pump uses the fuel as a lube and/or coolant so if it is dry and operating... buh-bye. If the fuel pickup is clogged, same thing. The fuel filter should be an easy check though. I would pull a hose off at the engine block and turn the key to see if fuel is at least getting to the motor. If it is, then the problem is more than likely up front.


What year is this Firebird? An older 'bird could have a mechanical pump on the block or an electric on the frame rail. You would generally hear an electric if it were on the frame rail though, in my experiences. Some cars do have an access to a tank mounted fuel pump from above so you don't have to drop the tank to inspect things. It sounds like you may want to thumb through a manual or find another forum to ask more informed 'bird people though. It could be a number of things. Good luck.

[Zorak]

Fwiw, in my experience when an electric fuel pump goes it's usually w/o warning, it just dies. You also mentioned the Firebird had been parked for a while, and I have also noticed on other cars that I have had which have been parked and not run for a while (a month or more) the electric fuel pump is dead when I try to start them again. I don't know why, maybe it's the gel that old gasoline turns into after a while somehow messes up the pump.

The relay is a cube, with four pins I think. Not sure about the Firebird but most late model GM's have that fuse/relay box under the hood, which hopefully has a label on it identifying what they are so you can figure out which one is the fuel pump relay. The relay itself is probably < $20 at AutoZone or similar.

[JHarris1385]

First off, lets just say the Bird forum is no where near this forum. It takes hours or sometimes days if your lucky to get a response. Thats just another reason to love this community here.

Edit: There are multiple bird forums but not just one great one. (one for each generation, ones for just formulas, one for just trans ams, one for the RARE Black Bird (side note: google that its a pretty sick Bird) (extra side note Ill search and post: http://www.firebirdgallery.com/carlblacklot1.htm , http://www.cardomain.com/ride/429194 , and BAM http://www.classyauto.com/47161 = 605 HP and 604 torque)


It is a 98 fourth gen.

Yeah I pulled the relay. Ill go buy another as cheap insurance. It was only sitting for about 4 hours before being driven for 30 minutes or so. I hope its just a realy. Becuase I really dont feel like putting money into a car that I am trying to sell.

[JHarris1385]

Relay = Check - works fine
Fuel Pump = Check - you can hear it turn on with the key turned.


Fuel filter? = next
Distributor cap????

I have not gotten it start recently but it was only starting after messing with the gas cap. It just throws a curve ball in it to me.

[Dino]

Maybe the gas cap vent or the gastank vent isn't functioning. It can't suck fuel out if air can't come in.

Does it start every time with the gas cap removed??? If yes then replace the cap.

[JHarris1385]

Not everytime. But it seems to only luckily start after sometimes messing with the gas cap.