Dead on the highway

[george1963]

My 1999 bable just stopped running and I had no brakes and the gas peddle is to the floor

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by george1963

My 1999 bable just stopped running and I had no brakes and the gas peddle is to the floor

Welcome to the forum.

We need more info, like mileage, which engine, last time any work was done to it. Can you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the key on without starting, (You should hear the pump humm for about 5 seconds then quit). Did the engine overheat. Does the engine crank over??? Do you have spark??

Does it start after sitting for a while and cooling off??? Take a rubber mallet and tap on the bottom off gas tank to see if that jars the fuel pump enough to aloow it to operate again.

[george1963]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Welcome to the forum.

We need more info, like mileage, which engine, last time any work was done to it. Can you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the key on without starting, (You should hear the pump humm for about 5 seconds then quit). Did the engine overheat. Does the engine crank over??? Do you have spark??

Does it start after sitting for a while and cooling off??? Take a rubber mallet and tap on the bottom off gas tank to see if that jars the fuel pump enough to aloow it to operate again.

I was just helped at the side of the road the gas tank was Tapped and started...I've been told it,s the fuel pump

How can I confirm? or do I have to replace it...and if so can I put in an inline after market

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by george1963

I was just helped at the side of the road the gas tank was Tapped and started...I've been told it,s the fuel pump

How can I confirm? or do I have to replace it...and if so can I put in an inline after market

I agree that it is fuel pump if the person helping you tapped on the gas tank and it started. By tapping on the tank the jarring of the tank umbound the pump so it could again operate. The pump could again lock up and not work leaving you stranded again. You need to drop the gas tank to installeither a new sending unit and fuel pump or instaall a new fuel pump only.

To confirm the fuel pump, next time it stops hook up a fuel fuel pressure gauge to the schreader valve on the fuel rail and crank the engine over and see what your fuel pressure is, I would bet it will be 0psi. Or like I said before when it stops again turn the key off, wait for a minute or so then turn the key to on without trying to start the engine and listen if the fuel pump is working. You may want to do this before it dies again so you know what you are listening for. You will need to drain the tank of its fuel before removing tank to install new pump so try to use up the gas in the tank if you can before hand.

[650BSA]

Hello George and Hello to the Forum,

This is a great idea and obviously very popular. Reminds us of the "cruise boards" where everyone pitches in their knowledge to help others and themselves.
...___________
Now ... back to topic ...
Our 98 Sable LS , 49.6K miles, in 95% new condition . 3L Duratec OHC 6 cyc.
Fuel=1/3tank, all fluids at high of Normal. Tires 34psi, And (was/is) running Great!! ... till Friday 8.12.11.
Running errands; about 20 miles worth; stop and go town traffic ... 3miles from home the engine quits running.
No noises, burps, hesitations or anything ... just stopped!
Very busy and dangerous entry ramp area. Put it in neutral ... hoping to coast to a "safe" pull over ...
keying all this time for a restart . No dice!
Once stopped, allowed a breather and tried again. No.
.... Battery 2.9months old and good.
....Oil fresh, along with oil filter.
....dash indicator= normal
** checked the gas cap ... no sign of problem there.
** checked the Fuel pump re-set .. same as new pushed down in original position.
** checked belts, hoses, fuses dash, engine compartment and Comp. Modules all = ok.
** engine compartment looks clean and no sign of debris, loose wires or fittings.
A GREAT guy + his brother stop (hung w/us for hours) drove us home, called a tow
and brought us back when the tow was to come. Get in Sable to prepare for tow and
give it a try .... it starts at first turnover ....... tow truck follows us home .. about 4 miles ... it is running perfectly ...
put in garage (it is in there more than out- - 49.5m/13 years= 3300m/y!)
Put slow 2 amp charger on -- then move up to ten amp ... the needle swings wildly to @ 30 amp area ??? and stays there... so I toggle back to 2 amp and leave it for 5 hours. At 10 amp: jumps to 10-12 amp and slowly drops to about 7-8amp. I leave it there for 1/2 hour and then unhook for the night.
Next day battery charger indicates a "normal" pattern". Open with 10 and its immediately starts a drop going finally to 2-3 amp. At 2 amp it registers hardly a move. So assuming battery is not shorting or causes electrical 'burp' .

Have a must happen ... 400 mile drive .. coming up in 3 weeks and am as nervous as can be ... Checking web pages we read: 1). fuel pump 2). Fuel pump ?relay? 3). Fuel Filter 4). Injector male function shut off and Computer idiosyncrasy .... any help here will be very much appreciated ..... Thank you.
650BSA