97 SL fuel pump problems -- again

Hello,

Any help with my problem would be greatly appreciated.

I took in my 97 Saturn SL for a fuel pump problem. Two Saturn dealerships said that the pump was not holding pressure and had to be replaced. I had the car worked on but I think instead of replacing the old pump, according to the repair invoice from the dealer, a PUMP KIT- N (21015072) was used. Does anyone know if that is a kit where some of my old, bad fuel pump parts are still used, with new parts from the kit that is mentioned? And is that okay?

At any rate, after installing the "new" fuel pump I had the car back from the dealer for 4 days and I started having different starting problems. (The week before the new fuel pump was installed, a computer diagnosis was performed on the car and the car is okay) After the new pump was installed, for the first four days, the car would turn over and start within a half-second. Great. But now, when I turn the key I hear the engine crank for about two seconds, then there is a "blubbing" sound for about a second, then the car starts. The starting time, in the worst instance, took about 5-7 seconds and sounded so bad, it sounded like it really dragged on the battery. (New battery installed a couple months before the starting problems) Not knowing any better, it almost sounds like the car is either flooding out or is lacking gas before the car starts but I don't know anything about things like that. This problem does not happen every time I try to start the car but when it does happen, it usually happens when I start a cold car up in the morning. When the car is hot, the problem is minimal but often there is still a very short, blubbing sound before the car starts.

I've taken the car back to the dealer and was told that they couldn't fix a problem that wouldn't repeat itself when in the garage. Does anyone have any information on this problem? I've read that there was a recall on 97 Saturn fuel pumps but haven't read anything about pumps being worked on or having kits installed. I am not the original owner and the car now has 102,000+ miles on it. Absolutely love the car otherwise. Does anyone have any information on websites with info on the bad 97 Saturn fuel pumps or rebuilt ones? Please help!

Jerry

this one is all you sierrap615... i got nothin... i dont even know that i would get back in my car if it "bubbled" at me

Hello,

After searching other forums, I've found out that Saturn is aware of this fuel pump problem with the 97's. I've read that there is a special policy for the 97MY. It has specific conditions that must be met in order for it to be applied and wasn't actually a recall. But that won't help me with the problem I've experienced with my "new" fuel pump but at least I'm starting to get answers.

Jerry

Supposedly the '97's would not keep pressure in the fuel line after the car had been sitting for a little while. Try turning the key to the run position, wait a few seconds, turn it to off, and then turn it to the on position again, wait a few seconds and then try and start it.

Hi Chris101,

Thanks for the info. That is the proceedure I followed with the last, bad fuel pump and it did work. However, after the new one was installed, there is the whole new problem.

Jerry