I recently put in a new fuel pump and filter into my 96 Z28 because mine finally died on me. For a week, everything was going great. She started right up, didn't take 5-7 second turn overs for her to get going; everything worked out. One night, I'm coming home from work and right before I get on the freeway, trouble occurs.

My engine shut off on me and locked up. It was impossible to turn the car as I had to push myself to the nearest gas station. Several minutes passed and I tried to start the car again and it worked. I let it idle there for a couple minutes then I took off for home. My interior lights and dash still worked, as did the radio, so I thought it to be the battery. I had a friend test out my battery and it's still in great condition.

The next day, I was heading out to work and made it down one street until the same problem occurred. I coasted to the side of the road, waited, then began to start her up again, but no dice =( The car sits in front of my house and cannot turn over.

My 2nd guess would be that it could be the fuel pump just being loose and needs to be tightened up. Did a trick to get into the fuel tank and checked the pump and it was completely fine. I could hear it running when turning the key into the ready position before trying to turn it over.

Friends have been telling me that the issue may be the alternator as the fuel system is working but the engine is not getting power. I hope you guys can give me some suggestions before I start throwing money left and right. I appreciate it.

 

Please define "cannot turn over". The engine cannot turn over means you turn the key, the starter clicks and tries to turn the engine, but the engine is locked up and doesn't turn. Is that what you mean? Or did you mean the engine cranks over but doesn't fire up? Or did you mean you turn the key and the starter acts like it's dead, no click at all? Or did you mean the starter tries to turn the engine over, but doesn't have enough oomph to do it?

 

Sorry, should have clarified. I mean the engine cranks over but doesn't fire up.

 

Ok that's different. As long as the engine is turning over normally, you wouldn't have a battery or alternator problem.
You're either losing fuel or spark. Since you messed with the fuel system, that would be the first thing to suspect.
You'd want to check your fuel pressure at the rail to make sure it isn't dropping off to nothing after the pump is running for a while.
Just because you can hear the pump run doesn't mean it's keeping pressure up.

 

Where did you get your fuel pump? Is it a quality Walbro or a cheap Chinese? You have to be careful about that Chinese crap.

 

If it is a Airtec it took me three trys before I got a good one. Since the fuel pump is new I would check for fuel pressure when it die, or just listen for the pump when it will not run. Of course your going to need to check all the connection. I have not seen any Camaros with connector issues but it is a common issue with other GM cars.

 

I suggest pulling a spark plug to see if it is wet with fuel.
If it is, I would say the fuel system is working, especially since you hear the pump working.
If spark plug is wet, then next test I would do is check for spark at the end of the plug wire.
No spark, then need a new Optispark, since the engine is an LT-1?

 

You guys are gonna laugh at me for what the problem was with it...

So after putting in the new pump, apparently, the wiring was a tad bit messed (dont know the specifics) buuuuuuuut the problem was, I was out of gas... Kill me please hahaha

The gas gauge is a little messed up, doesn't read quite correctly. I filled it up to 3/4 quarters full and drove for 2 days and didnt see it drop. On the 3rd day, I drove it to work and finally say the gauge drop to a little above 1/4 quarter tank. I put more gas into the tank and it rose normally to 3/4 quarters again. So I'm gonna keep testing it to make sure that the gauge is finally reading normal since it has seem to stabilize now. We'll see how it goes!

 

The gauge will never read right, no matter how hard you try. Try to never let it drop below the halfway mark and you'll be okay. I hope you still changed the pump while you were in there. The original one probably sucked enough air to ruin it.

 

I did that on my '79 Capri years ago, spend 2 days trying to figure out why it wouldn't start only to find out the gas gauge was stuck on full, but the tank was empty!