someone has to know.

I just got a 96 pontiac grand am se with a 4 cylinder and 103,000 miles on it that won't start. It will fire if it's ethered and the fuel pump is running like it should, but it won't fire otherwise. I haven't yet checked the fuel pressure or to see if the injectors are firing. It was driven it to work one morning and it was fine, but that day after work it wouldn't start. I've read that this may be a common problem, but I don't think it's the anti-theft that has plagued others. Could it be a cam or crank sensor? If so, are they bad to replace?
Any help I get is greatly appreciated.

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I need help. I just got a 96 grand am se and it won't start. It has a 4 cylider auto and has 103,000 miles. It was fine on the way to work, but after work it refused to fire. It will fire if it's ethered(starting fluid), but not otherwise. The fuel pump is running like it should although it sounds kinda rough, but I haven't checked the fuel pressure yet. I thought it might be the injectors not firing, but I was told that if the plugs are firing (which they are) then the injectors ahould be also. I don't think it's the passlock system, but I'm not sure. I don't recall the security light flashing, but I'll try to reset it and see if that fixes it.Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Welcome to AF!

How old are your plugs and other ignition components ??

I would verify you're getting fuel and at the right pressure, and that the spark is good. It could even be a clogged fuel filter.


ps- your previous post in N body was merged into this thread.
No Need to Post DUPLICATES ! :nono: Also the others were deleted. :sorry:

Sorry for the repost, I accidentally put it in the wrong place, and thanks for staightening up my other posts. I got ALL messed up!!
I'm pretty sure all the parts are original, but I'm not sure since I just got it.
I'll check the pressure as soon as I get a guage. What's the pressure supposed to be? I was told around 46-65psi. Also, will it hit on ether if the Passlock is activated? My cousin's intrigue had passlock issues(or so she was told),and it would hit on ether, so I'm afraid to find out thats the problem.
Thanks again for the help.

Thats ok on the posting, I understand.

If it was a passlock issue the light would be on constant or flashing rapidly on the instrument cluster. unless of coarse the lights burnt out.

Though it does sound like its not getting fuel, since it starts with ether.

I am thinking you need a gauge with a hose adapter that goes into the fuel line under the hood to check your pressure. Kind of a pain to check on the 4 cyl's.
I think fuel pressure should be 28-36 psi , 28-50 psi on the turbocharged engines... I'll double check that though.

It might not hurt to try replacing the fuel filter, its cheap and can become clogged causing the same no start issue. This too would also cause a low fuel pressure reading.

Might not hurt(other then your wallet) to replace your plugs after you get it running. Your plugs are probley fauled out from the ether.

Good Luck

Hi again. I fixed my car. It was the Passlock system after all. So, apparently, the injectors are disabled when the system is tripped(which is why it would fire on ether and the fuel pump still ran). I reset it by following the steps posted on this forum and it started up immediately. Thanks so much for the help. I'll come back if I have any other problems or advice to share.
Thanks and God bless. Chris

The re-learn procedure is just temporary. It will fail to start again until it is repaired. They will usually fail to start at the worst time.