My car is having problems starting. When I get it towed to a mechanic, it mysteriously starts! This has happened 3 times already. I am fed up. I have heard that it may be my starter, battery, or fuel pump. But what ever they fix is not guarenteed. I don’t mind spending the money (about 500 for a fuel pump) but if it isn’t guarenteed, I don’t want to waste the money. Any suggestions?
My car will turn, but it won’t start.
Autocare
Place to pump your car
Jun
24
How do you know when to replace your fuel pump for your car?
Posted in Maintenance & Repairs | 6 Comments »
6 Responses
April 8th, 2010 at 3:02 am
please explain exactly what type of problems u are having. is it sputtering? not starting? need more info to better diagnose it.
April 10th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
you have to check the fuel pressure to be sure if thats the problem.
a bad ignition coil can do that too.
So can a bad ignition modual.
they have to check, with their meters to find out the problem
or guess, and replace all 3 of them.
$500 for a fuel pump is a rip off, if they can do it without removing the fuel tank, then I would say $250 or $300 is enough.
———————————
Does it turn over and won’t start, or does it just not turn over.
if it doesn’t turn over, then it could just be a loose wire at the battery
give more info, all the info, and then we can tell you better what it might be
April 11th, 2010 at 8:59 am
It sounds like lack of fuel. when you get it towed that act of towing sloshes the fuel and ta-da it starts. then when it sits it wont start because it drains the fuel down. It sounds like a fuel pump.
Your mechanic should be able to test the pump, if he cant then take the car some where else. You can test a fuel pump pressure, and that does not cost much. Ask around and find a mechanic that will work with you. I would start with fuel pressure test. good Luck Dave
April 14th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
The easiest way to tell if fuel pump is working is to unsrew the
gas cap (where U put gas into car) and get your ear as close to
the opening as possible and have someone else turn the ignition
key to where power is on, like radio comes on. Do not start the
car or U will not be able to hear pump if its working. Pump makes
a most definate buzzing sound when its working.
April 16th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
sometime the gas in the tank does pick up good what i mean is that the pump pull and push sound like the pump is picking up but it is getting weak that will give you problem from starting your car the pump is getting hot once cool off it will crank
April 18th, 2010 at 10:45 am
unfortunatly once the car starts it is allmost impossible to find the problem because there isnt one at this time…. but if you get it to happen again try pounding on the bottom of the gas tank this is sometimes hard to do but you can use a stick or anything this will sometimes get the fuel pump to work its not 100% but it does work very often if it starts after pounding the tank a little replace your fuel pump (dont hit the tank so hard you cave in the bottom but give it a couple good hits)