Wont start Help!

[Daimyo77]

Engine Performance problem
1987 Pontiac Firebird V8 Two [COLOR=green ! important][COLOR=green ! important]Wheel [COLOR=green ! important]Drive[/color][/color][/color] Manual 85000 miles

Hi,
Everything was fine two days ago, but I ran the gas too low getting home. Yesterday went outside to start the [COLOR=green ! important][COLOR=green ! important]car[/color][/color], it would start but would die immediately after. Assumed it was not having enough gas, so went to store and got about 1 1/2 gallons in tank. It was still doing same thing. Start, then die. I pumped the gas trying to get it to start, no luck. Popped the hood, pulled the throttle a few times (Fuel injection system). Now it wont start at all, It just turns over but never actually starts now. HELP!

[scjibberjaws49]

Originally Posted by Daimyo77

Engine Performance problem
1987 Pontiac Firebird V8 Two [COLOR=green ! important][COLOR=green ! important]Wheel [COLOR=green ! important]Drive[/color][/color][/color] Manual 85000 miles

Hi,
Everything was fine two days ago, but I ran the gas too low getting home. Yesterday went outside to start the [COLOR=green ! important][COLOR=green ! important]car[/color][/color], it would start but would die immediately after. Assumed it was not having enough gas, so went to store and got about 1 1/2 gallons in tank. It was still doing same thing. Start, then die. I pumped the gas trying to get it to start, no luck. Popped the hood, pulled the throttle a few times (Fuel injection system). Now it wont start at all, It just turns over but never actually starts now. HELP!

get a can of carb. cleaner spray in throttle body or pull a hose off so you can spray carb. cleaner into intake and see if it trys to start at all if it does then your fuel filter is stopped from running so low on gas ! or your fuel pump has got to hot from running tooooo low on gas and quit working ! but spray carb. cleaner to see if this is the problem without spending a lot of money. even if it runs for two min. you will know you are not getting the fuel you need , then remove fuel filter , it will probley be (black looking gas coming from it ) stopped up with crud from bottom of tank . check fuel pressure tooo ! Danny

[Daimyo77]

Sorry, how would I check the fuel pressure?

[scjibberjaws49]

Originally Posted by Daimyo77

Sorry, how would I check the fuel pressure?

go to (auto zone) or (advance auto parts) and rent a fuel gauge and ask what the fuel pressure should be ( probley around 5o pound pressure) may be more i had a camaro that fuel pressure was 150 pounds pressure around that same year so make sure you get the correct (fuel pressure)from parts house or look it up on your computer and it will show you what to do ! then return the fuel gauge and want cost nothing for using it. but try spraying carb cleaner in the intake first if it is fuel problem it will try to start anyway , if it does not sound like it wants to start (pull a spark plug ) stick it back in the plug wire lay it next to a metal brace and try to start the motor see if the spark plug is firing at all , make sure you have checked your (fuel pump fuse) or (ignition fuse) and none are blown. if you have fire at the spark plug (replace spark plug back in motor ) !
have someone try to start the motor while you hit the bottom of the gas tank (sometimes the fuel pump will kick on ) this will let you know for sure you have a bad pump if the car starts (these are some things to try with out spending a lot of money ) let me know if it has fire at the spark plugs ! Danny !

[Daimyo77]

scjibberjaws49,

Thanks again! Your advice was a tremendous help. Turns out I replaced the fuel pump. Even went ahead and made an access panel for any future need of accessing the fuel pump.