No fuel

1993 BUICK CENTURY
101 MILES • 3.3L • 6 CYL
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Started out trying to cure a "miss" rough idle,thought a tuneup would do the trick, but now it will not run at all.
I changed the coils, TPS and spark plugs, it ran long enough to get me stranded five miles from home during a test drive.
Upon further inspection i tried the fuel filter (they gave me the wrong one) no 12" hose attached to the new one (old filter has the hose attached).
Apr 27, 2018 at 8:18 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
See if you can blow air through the old filter and hose with your mouth and if you can just put it back on.
Is the fuel pump not running? If you can spray a few shot of starting fluid into the throttle opening, that would tell you if the engine is getting a spark or not, cause if it starts and runs a few seconds at least you know it has spark.
Apr 27, 2018 at 8:34 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
It does fire a little and then quits. would the fuel pump quit without throwing a code?
Apr 27, 2018 at 8:51 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
the fuel pump could not run and not set a code.
Are you saying the engine fires a little then quits, using starting fluid or no?
can you even hear the fuel pump run for two seconds once you first turn the key to run, before you turn the key to start?
Apr 27, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
No, I have never been able to hear the fuel pump even when it did run. Yes, it fires when primed at the intake. I am thinking it shut down due to an injector issue maybe (the rough idle issue that started this search).
Apr 27, 2018 at 9:10 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
remove the gas cap, put your ear up to the tank filler hole and listen for the fuel pump to make a humming noise for about two seconds once someone else first turns the key to run.
Apr 27, 2018 at 9:39 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Sorry for the slow replies guys (i drive a rig now a days can only reply when stopped loading). I will listen for a sound when I get home.
After reading a few posts on here about problem injectors shutting down the car and knowing the history of the car how it has run since I have owned it (about two years) and my changing the coils, plugs and TPS, may (correct me if I am wrong) have triggered the other injectors to quit?
Note: before I did the tuneup it would run very well (with the "miss") never stall when hitting the gas or anything like that), but it would randomly shut just stop while driving along (very annoying, lol). All that to say I am throwing this at you guys in an attempt at saving a little cash on parts swapping. I hope that is a bit clearer than my last posts, lol.
Apr 27, 2018 at 12:52 PM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
Purchase a can of starting fluid and let me know if the engine starts up and runs for a few seconds after spraying a couple small shots of starting fluid into the throttle opening then quickly making it to turn the key to start.
If it does, or if you prefer even before the starting fluid, listen if the fuel pump runs or not.
Apr 27, 2018 at 1:04 PM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I will as soon as i am home. in a few hours. Thank you.
Apr 27, 2018 at 1:10 PM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
I got an email you replied, but I do not see anything posted that when you said, "I will as soon as I am home. In a few hours."
Did you reply after that?
Apr 28, 2018 at 7:36 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Yes, I will check it out. Sorry must not have been sent.
Apr 28, 2018 at 8:03 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
In answer to your question, yes, it does start on the prime in the intake, starting fluid, but no fuel pump code. Does this mean my fuel pumps fine? A relay maybe or fuse?
Apr 28, 2018 at 8:11 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
A fuel pump that does not run will probably not even set a code. Did you retrieve any other codes at all?
Can you listen if the fuel pump runs or not? If it does run, perhaps the fuel injectors are either not powered up or not pulsing, so check the fuel injector fuse/s to start off with.
Apr 28, 2018 at 8:32 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Well, I first drained the battery trying to restart it the day it left me stranded. So once it got home on a hook I swapped the battery out for a new one that I had already planned on installing in the car. So I most likely reset any codes there may have been it first gave me the three 12's to say the diagnostic was working properly. Then a few seconds later I got a 28, and a 29, 3ed and fourth gear codes (which i already was aware of but no fuel pump code).
I live out in country alone so hard to listen to the for the pump especially while the bells and whistles are going off upon turning the key, lol. all those years running a 1"impact gun with out hearing protection i guess. I will check the injector power, fuses. I just want to be sure before I unnecessarily change the fuel pump (I will be doing it in my backyard) so a bit of a pain.
Apr 28, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
Well, you could always check to see if there is fuel pressure out not, if you have a fuel system pressure tester.
Apr 28, 2018 at 9:39 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I do not ?
Apr 28, 2018 at 9:40 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I also crank it over with the line off of the filter and nothing.
Apr 28, 2018 at 9:41 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
Yeah, that just about proves the fuel pump is not running. Check the fuel pump fuse and if it is okay, try a new fuel pump relay or swap one in if you have another of the same type.
both the fuse and the relay are on the relay bracket shown here.
I do see this has an oil pressure switch override, which means after cranking the engine over enough that the oil pressure builds up 4 psi, it should override the switch and power the fuel pump. If that wire is hot going to the fuel pump but it still does not run, check the fuel pump ground before condemning the fuel pump itself and begin draining the tank to replace the fuel pump.
Apr 28, 2018 at 9:55 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I did read in one the other posts on here about a wire that i can connect to the positive battery post with a fused jumper wire to test the pump without all that other noise from turning the key. thoughts on this?
Apr 28, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
I see a prime connector wire, a red wire coming off the fuel pump relay that you can jump twelve volts to in order to see if the fuel pump will run.
Apr 28, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I checked the fuse ,it is fine 15 amp. i do not have another relay to test yet but will get one ASAP to try. Will Also try the prime wire soon as this deluge quits, lol. To be continued. :) At least were narrowing it down.
Apr 28, 2018 at 4:54 PM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
Okay.
Apr 28, 2018 at 5:03 PM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Well the deluge finally ended long enough for me to find out i cannot hear anything from my fuel tank when using the prime connector wire. Fuse is good, swapped the relay out with its twin 2ed in from the passenger front fender (same number). How loud sounding is this pump? I am a little hard of hearing but far from deaf. I could hear the pump in my Suburban easy and my Dodge cargo van both from the drivers seat? I am thinking maybe it is the pump after all. Would my tuneup have triggered this in some "electronic" way ? I am really beginning to miss my ole 1970 3/4 ton Chevrolet truck lol. One wire and fuel line, run forever.
Your thoughts fellas please.
Apr 29, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
I do not think doing the tune-up did anything to the fuel pump. I think you should begin with a fuel pump replacement, but once you locate I believe it was the gray wire as close to the fuel pump, check it again there by either testing it for voltage or since you have no one to help you. just jump twelve volts to the wire and listen if the fuel pump runs then and if not still, check the ground wire and if okay, start to drain the tank for replacement of the fuel pump.
Apr 29, 2018 at 4:55 PM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Yes, that is the way I was going too. I will keep you posted.
Apr 29, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
You are welcome!
Apr 30, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
Did you post a reply today?
May 1, 2018 at 7:15 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
I got emails saying you posted three replies today, but I come here and there are none.
May 1, 2018 at 7:28 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Weird?
May 1, 2018 at 7:28 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
I see that one "weird?" Did you post any others today?
May 1, 2018 at 7:38 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Yes three, thank you for your help cars running. Did fuel pump last evening.
May 1, 2018 at 7:42 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
Okay, well I got that one, anyhow, I am glad to hear it is fixed.
May 1, 2018 at 7:46 AM
Avatar
NOFUEL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
The other three messages were re-sends to say a long winded very gracious "thank you guys". I am an old school mechanic I do not like the sensor loaded stuff. So you guys will probably be consulted for time to time. :)
May 1, 2018 at 7:49 AM
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
You are welcome, we will be here.
May 1, 2018 at 7:51 AM