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97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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hawks525
New User
Sep 22, 2008, 4:33 PM
Post #1 of 7
(1779 views)
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97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix 6 cyl Automatic 114000 miles
Hello,
I have been having problems with *my car and no sure diagnosis yet.
1. The first sign something was wrong was when *my car would not start. The key got locked in the ignition and my car had to be jumped before I could get it loose or the car would run.
2. The next day my car struggled to start, but eventually worked.
3. The next 2 days my car started up fine like nothing every happened.
4. The third day my car would not start again. The key would turn but the engine would not fire. It was jumped a few more times to get it to run.
5. Now, 9 times out of 10, when I start my car, it will die unless I keep my foot on the gas pedal and rev it up for several seconds. Sometimes when I do this, my car will start bouncing, but it will die if I do not do this. Sometimes the lights will dim.
6. I took it to a Pontiac dealership to get it checked out. They noted the car would start every time. They hooked it up to the machine and said they found it could be something w/ the fuel pump, and that when something hits in the right place, it would cause a no-start condition. (If you want me to get the exact wording, I can find the document and give you that). They told me they are 99% sure if they replaced the fuel pump, it would run, but what about that 1% they could be wrong?
-Could it be the fuel pump?
-Could it be *bad gas?
-Any other ideas?
Thanks so much for your help - it is greatly appreciated!
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Sep 25, 2008, 6:51 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 25, 2008, 6:48 AM
Post #2 of 7
(1771 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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?? You are asking this site to second guess the hands on diagnostics of the "dealership" that has told you it's 99% the fuel pump. Pressure tests would show this. If the fuel itself was in question then they should take a sample of it to know better.
What is the problem with letting them do the fuel pump. I suggest if they are 99% sure then you agree to pay them as agreed - 99% of the estimate of what will fix this and if they are all wrong - agree to pay the 1%
If this is so intermittent then let them have the car for enough time to be 100% and that should make you both happy.
Ps: You appear to have copied and pasted this from elswhere with links not supporting this site so your post will be edited by me but read exactly as it was without hyperlinks in script which you may not see but I do,
T
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hawks525
New User
Sep 25, 2008, 2:41 PM
Post #3 of 7
(1758 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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Um, yes, that's exactly what I'm doing is second guessing the "dealership".
You say a pressure test would show this. Well, they happen to have written "GOOD FUEL PRESSURE". Well, if the fuel pressure is good, then why would it be the fuel pump?
What's the problem of letting them do the fuel pump? I'm sorry if I don't want to spend $700 for them to replace a fuel pump when that's not even the problem.
The reason for my post was to see if any other educated people had advice or similar problems.
And letting them have the car for enough time - they didn't give me that option. They didn't sound too sure of themselves, which is why, once again, I posted this.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 25, 2008, 5:49 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: 97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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I totally hear you about spending the money with little real assurance that it is the problem. What does 99% really mean?? If intermittent and shows good pressure in front of them then they are guessing based on what YOU tell them it does.
There absolutely are problems that will show fine when checked out so what are techs supposed to do? It is a rock and a hard place. To be more sure of the culprit it has to be caught in the act and test equipment on hand right away to see what's missing when it's doing it otherwise it's left to the odds and what had fixed others with a similar situation.
There's no joy in being wrong with this. Can you reach a meeting of minds with price considerations if this doesn't work out to fix the problem? Seems you are dealing with honesty that there's any doubt at all. Not sure what else to say except I'm sorry it's such a big ticket repair to have to do any guessing with??
T
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Dynamix
Novice
Sep 29, 2008, 6:07 PM
Post #5 of 7
(1740 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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Your car runs at 14 volts. The battery itself is 24 volts. This is from the alternate current or your alternator. Loosen your ground terminal and start your car get out and remove the ground terminal from your battery if it dies instantly it could be your alternator. Another one percent guess might be that your terminals may have alkalytic corrosion. The green tasty mold looking stuff you get from aging batteries.
If you've replaced the battery recently that 1% is definitely the alternator.
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 30, 2008, 10:38 AM
Post #6 of 7
(1731 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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I dont recommend disconnecting the battery ground terminal with the engine running .
It may/can cause damage to the computer.
This is an old school way of testing to see if the alternator is putting out .It worked ok for older non computer cars,but its not recommended for todays vehicles.
Besides,it wasnt an accurate test anyway..it only showed that the alternator was putting out,but not if the voltage was being regulated.
DONT DO It THIS WAY!
But do get the battery tested properly as well as the charging system,
Perhaps ,with the battery going dead,the idle needs to be relearned.
Thats my opinion
See what the others say
Jim
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 30, 2008, 3:49 PM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: 97 Grand Prix - no start unless foot on gas
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I agree with Jim. Still trying to figure out where the 12 volt battery is going to output 24 volts. Do as Jim suggested. And I agree DO NOT DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE WITH ENGINE RUNNING.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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