2000 Grand am -fuel pump problems?

[tues_bri]

Hi, my 2000 Grand Am SE wont start. This started about a week ago (before that it had no problems at all)... then one morning it would crank but not start-like it was out of gas... so after checking the battery, spark plugs, injectors, fuses, etc. i found that the fuel pump was running but the engine wasnt gettin any gas. We sprayed carb cleaner into the throttle and it started and ran for a few seconds and this led us to believe the pump was not working properly. So i had the fuel pump replaced and it started and ran fine for about 3 days. Yesterday i drove it about 30mi and parked it overnight...came back the next morning and it wont start again... its doin the exact same thing it was before. Does anyone have any idea what could have casued it run fine then go out again?

[GTP Dad]

Check the fuel pump relay located in the power control center under the hood. The relay is probably going bad and is causing problems. It is not too expensive to replace and is a simple plug and play. Make sure you get a fuel pump relay though don't get a cheap substitute to put in as it will not last very long.

[tues_bri]

Thanks for the response. I can hear the pump running when i turn the key on--could it still be the relay and if so where is the relay at?

[GTP Dad]

The relay is located under the power control center under the hood. Should be a black cover with a nut in the center. Check your owners manual to see which is the fuel pump relay. It cost a few dollars for a new one, even though the pump is running it may be cutting off and not pumping long enough. If that doesn't correct the problem you may need to check the fuel pressure regulator as it may have gone bad and is not holding proper pressure for the injectors to work. Hope this helps.

[tues_bri]

Great, thanks....ill replace the relay tomorrow. My mechanic got it runnin with a lil rigging, the pump is running but it is not sending fuel through the lines, instead it (the gas) is just goin back into the pump through a small hole in the center of the pump...he plugged up that little hole and it started pumping through the line and the car started and ran fine, but obviously i dont want to run it too long with it rigged like that. Sounds like a pressure problem so your probably right about the pressure regulator...hopefully ill be able to have that checked out tomorrow. thanks for the info.