Starting problems

[stead04]

Ok all,

Here is the latest problem I have encountered and see if the forums might have any other idea, cause i am pulling my hair out on this one.

(2001 Grand Am, 6 cylinder)

OK, on this past Weds. morning, went out early to start the car, and it would crank but just not catch. tried it several times, same thing, it would almost (just a hair away) from catching and then not.

Tried to jump, thinking the battery might be low, tried to jump it with no luck.

Pulled the battery and had it tested, it was throwing anywhere from 8 to 9 volts, and it is 5 years old. So, I replaced it, thinking this might be the problem, but alas, the same problem.

It almost starts, but just doesn't catch.

So, had one of my car friends come over that is much better than I can ever be. And we did the following.

We removed the air filter asembly and sprayed starting fluid in there and the car caught was able to start for that second or two. Put it back on and nothing. So, that tells us it is sparking

(Sounds like it is not getting fuel is what we thought)

So, then we listened for the gas pump, and we hear that nice and clear. It is pretty obvious hum / sound coming from the back

Put the car up and made sure there was no breaks / tears in the fuel lines all the way to the engine, everything looked good there.

Then we replaced the fuel filter (And for the record, that was a pain in the a$$ and then I read here about the 20 mm wrench that is needed, so whoever posted that, thanks a bunch, it saved a bunch of headaches there!)

Replaced the fuel filter, put everything back together and same problem.

The engine cranks and it almost starts, but not quite.

It is not the passlock thingy, cause the security light is / was not on and I have had that replaced from the stealership back when it was under warranty and never had a problem with it.

I have gas in the tank (3/4 full).

We get gas on both sides of the new fuel filter. (Which tells us that gas is coming from the tank to the filter and past right?)

There are no obvious leaks under the car and there is not a strong smell of gas either.

It is the shop now and god only knows how much they are going to try and bend me over for, but I have a few questions, if you all don't mind answering them / giving your opinion;

1.) Could it be the fuel pump, I mean we hear, just like always, doesn't sound any different from a week ago to when we bought the car. But could the pump still sound normal and not push as much gas / pressure?

2.) My friend said something about an Air flow module (or something along those lines), could something like this be the problem?

3.) What else are we over looking here? Hell, I even went and bought the Haynes manuel (Yeah, I know there are better, but in this small town I live in, there ain't much of a choice!)

Thanks for any help / insite everyone!

[goodoldpapa]

It could be the fuel pressure regulator. I haven't had a problem with mine yet, but I hear it is a common problem on the 5th gen GA's. Hopefully someone more knowledgable will be on a little later to help you out.

[3100]

how did this problem start, was it sudden or someone was working on this car and installed this problem?

fuel pressure gauge would be nice to test the pressure of fuel. Also where the coils are there should be connector connected to your ICM (ignition coil module) plate where your coils are connected to. Anywey there should be a a connector with purple and yellow wires disconnect that connect DVOM set to read mV connecth dvom test leads to the connector and tell someone to crank the engine several times, you should get close to 200 mV if not maybe your CKP or crank posiiton sensor is bad or has open in wires. Disconnect your ECT (engine coolant sensor) connector and try to start the engine. Check all your fuses.