Work Car broke? No idea.

[Boxcarracer944]

My work car ('93 pontaic grand am 3.3) is having electrical problems. I was out getting a hair cut, and came back to my car tried to start it and it just turns over. The fuel pump doesn't turn on, none of the guages turn on. I checked all the fuses, and switched the relays one over. I took it to a garage, they said they cleaned something and it fired right up. But it happened again, and I called the garage to ask what they did again because I don't remember what they cleaned and I can't get a hold of them. Anyone have an idea of came across something like this?

BTW if this is wrong category? sorry?

 

[AaRoN]

Those specific years had some really shoddy fuel pumps. They "stick" sometimes. Take a hammer and bang on the gas tank (lightly). If you hit it just right, it'll fire up. That's probably what they did. Sometimes, just letting it sit for a few minutes will help as well. Best thing to do though, get a new fuel pump.

 

[Boxcarracer944]

No it's not the fuel pump I think.. It's electrical. None of the guages or anything turn on when you turn the key.

 

[Steven]

corroded battery cable, may even be a bad ground. Sounds alot like my problems with my old fox when the battery cable got ate up by corrossion.

 

[Boxcarracer944]

The starter turns over (like I said). Not the battery.

 

[Steven]

my bad, -10 me . not sure but do those cars use starter solenoids?

 

[Boxcarracer944]

Sigh, IDK. Time to rack some miles up on the cobra driving to work.

 

[CC'S95GT]

have you pulled any codes? sounds like a fp to me too could also be any of the dozens of sensors cam, crank you might be able to get the codes with a paper clip ( a haynes manual has instructions how to do this)

 

[Boxcarracer944]

It won't give any codes, no response from the computer. And don't say the computer is bad because I already replaced it.

 

[CC'S95GT]

are you geting spark? how about voltage to the fuel pump.? I had an 89 corisca with a 2.8 v6. i think the engines are similar. fp went out and the thing just quite out of the blue. are you getting any fuel out of the schrader valve on the fuel rail with the key on? be careful, how high does it shoot?

 

[Boxcarracer944]

No idea. wtf is a schrader valve

 

[Steven]

No idea. wtf is a schrader valve

looks like the valve you use to put air in your tires. like on a rim, the lil cap screws on it. Same thing on bicycle tires. Check it, i think its the solenoid though. Because you have no power anywhere else, and apparently the starters getting power while the computer, dash, and all accessories don't.

 

[Boxcarracer944]

Where to find the valve and the solenoid on a grand am?

 

[Steven]

Where to find the valve and the solenoid on a grand am?

the valve will be on the fuel rail. Most likely have a cap

The solenoid should be easy to find. Follow the positive battery cable. The end should hook to it, if it has one. Google a picture of it.