Fuel Pump or Filter, and electrical problem?

John Muro · 10-29-2003, 08:50 PM

I have a 94 Bonneville that I bought with 18,000 miles, and I now have 175,000 miles. When I get down to a 1/4 tank of fuel the car will stall, or stutter and almost stall when I stop short or make a hard right turn. It only used to do this when the low fuel light was on, but now has been happening with progressively more fuel in the tank. Is it just a filter or does the tank need to be cleaned out? Or is it the fuel pump?
I also started to have a ignition problem were the tack would jump around and the engine would run ruff once and a while. Dealer said $600.00 for ignition modual, so I said no way and replaced it my self. Still having problems, I also replaced coils and eventually the PCM. The car ran great for about 2,000 miles and than one day just wouldn't start ( for my wife of course, always happens when she has the car. She does't talk nice to it.) When the car won't start the tack doesn't show any revs while the engine is cranking. Then a day later I tried to start it and the tack showed revs as it cranked and it started fine. It happens spearatically since than. I have checked all the wiring to the new PCM, ignition modual, and any ground wires I could find, and they all seen OK. thanks for reading my novel, any input would be greatly apprecheated. (a big help) thanks John
P.S. Could one of the new parts be bad?

CD Smalley · 10-30-2003, 06:17 AM

I think that car should also have a fuel pump relay that could be preventing the fuel pump from running. If the relay is intermitent then so would be your no start....

GMMerlin · 10-30-2003, 01:57 PM

First you need to find out what is missing when the car wont start....fuel or spark...this will narrow down what system is at fault.
When the engine will not start, remove a plug wire from a plug and place the wire close to an engine ground..spin the engine over and see if spark jumps out of the boot...if spark does not jump out, then you need to look towards the ignition system and its controls.

iwin12 · 11-26-2003, 01:04 PM

Had the same problem, exactly! A good shop can quickly check you fuel flow. I had to replace the fuel pump. Pick-up was clogged.

mussinc · 11-26-2003, 11:04 PM

I too have had a similar problem with my 98 Bonneville, when I start the car it never starts on the first try, can turn the key forever but it will not fire off. I found that if you turn it just enough to engage the starter, shut it off, then try to start it again it will fire...but not everytime...also, lately it has been stalling once in awhile when I am driving it when I pull up to a stop...why is this happening? Anyone have a fix? An idea...I have heard there is a number of these Bonnevilles with this same problem...anyone? I know I have a spark...it would start at all if I didn't, correct?

GMMerlin, got any advice? (He seems to be the man to talk to here)

mussinc · 11-26-2003, 11:39 PM

John, found this post...basically having the same problem as you right now...I'm gonna try this tomorrow...$3 fix?

Go here and read the 17th post from the top made by user: fritcr
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=111468

John Muro · 11-30-2003, 07:38 PM

I had replaced my crank sensor a couple of weeks ago and not had any more trouble with the car not starting or stalling. It was an intermitten problem so hope this helps anyone that has a car that won't start for an hour or sometimes for a few days and then starts running again for no reason. Check for no spark when the car won't start, and if so replace the crank sensor. Good luck and thanks for the help. Cleaning my fuel tank and fuel pickup is next. John

Aurora01 · 01-01-2004, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Muro

I have a 94 Bonneville that I bought with 18,000 miles, and I now have 175,000 miles. When I get down to a 1/4 tank of fuel the car will stall, or stutter and almost stall when I stop short or make a hard right turn. It only used to do this when the low fuel light was on, but now has been happening with progressively more fuel in the tank. Is it just a filter or does the tank need to be cleaned out? Or is it the fuel pump?
I also started to have a ignition problem were the tack would jump around and the engine would run ruff once and a while. Dealer said $600.00 for ignition modual, so I said no way and replaced it my self. Still having problems, I also replaced coils and eventually the PCM. The car ran great for about 2,000 miles and than one day just wouldn't start ( for my wife of course, always happens when she has the car. She does't talk nice to it.) When the car won't start the tack doesn't show any revs while the engine is cranking. Then a day later I tried to start it and the tack showed revs as it cranked and it started fine. It happens spearatically since than. I have checked all the wiring to the new PCM, ignition modual, and any ground wires I could find, and they all seen OK. thanks for reading my novel, any input would be greatly apprecheated. (a big help) thanks John
P.S. Could one of the new parts be bad?

I have a 1992 SSE that had a simular problem it turned out to be the fuel sender. The tubes coming out of the tank were rusted you could smell fuel every once in while not cheep but it is nice to have working correctly. Mine would stall going around turn at 1/4 tank of gas.

bridget36907 · 01-16-2004, 05:51 AM

so has the problem been resolved?

John Muro · 01-16-2004, 08:09 AM

The problem with the car stalling and not starting again intermittenly, with plenty of fuel, was fixed by replacing the Crank Sensor. As stated a couple of post earlier.
The car stalling becouse of low fuel has gotten a little better.
I have been trying to run the tank as low as possable to try to get rid of the bad fuel that would settle to the bottom of the tank. I can now make it till the check gages light comes on without any stalling from stopping short or cornering fast on an exit ramp.

Hope this helps
John

hippywithjob · 06-21-2004, 09:22 AM

"I have a 1992 SSE that had a simular problem it turned out to be the fuel sender. The tubes coming out of the tank were rusted you could smell fuel every once in while not cheep but it is nice to have working correctly. Mine would stall going around turn at 1/4 tank of gas."

Aurora...
I'm having a similar problem that you had with your bonnie....I've got a 1992 SSE that's leaking gas like a sieve (only when the car is on though, so i suspect it is directly related to the fuel pump). How much did your repairs set you back, did you repair it yourself and if so, what was the level of difficulty in the repair?

Thanks

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