I have 1997 v6 (3800) that won't start most of the time. The only times that it will run, and thats just for a few minutes, is when it has been sitting there for a couple of days. I put some throttle body cleaner in the air intake and it started right away, but died right away. II also changed the fuel filter. I have a feeling that it might be the fuel pump, but I need to know how to be sure before I take it out. Is there a way of troubleshooting the fuel pump while it's inside the tank?

 

I would trouble shoot and check everthing else before replacing the fuel pump. Yours is a late model car and the pump in my opinion is not a high failure part. Also it is a major and very expensiive item toinstall. Replace the fuel relay on the firewall first a cheap item,fuses and the fuel injectors.

 

I wouldn't go throwing parts at anything to be honest. I would try and find a manual for the vehicle ( it always is useful to have ) and troubleshoot the electrical connections of the fuel pump. If you have the ability, check the fuel pressure, Check to see the pump is receiving the proper supplied voltage, if not look at the wiring diagram ( in the manual ) and odds are only a relay/fuse/or Wire is the culprit. Now relays can burn up yea, common, But if a fuse is bad, I'd be a little skeptical as to why it went. But never the less, Also check path to ground etc... the manual will have all this information in it. Don't go throwing parts at anything. If you become accustomed to that now, you can cost yourself alot of money in the long run as well as needless headache's.

 

Do You mean the firewall by the engine compartment, by the driver's side? or under the car by the fuel tank? there are some plugs that conect into the chasi, near by where the fuel line that goes into the filter is at. there?

 

drivers side on the firewall (3) relays. Cost less then $15.00

 

I replaced the fuel pump relay. It turned out to be in the kickside panel on the drivers side and cost $30. I can hear it click too. S O L? Should I break my piggy bank and go buy a pump now?

 

Do one more thing. Take a look at the wiring harness on the passenger side where it goes over the fender. See if there is a short wire sticking out of it with just a connector attached. This is a test lead for the fuel pump and it is a direct run to the fuel pump. You can connect a voltmeter between the connector and ground and see the voltage at the fuel pump when you try to start the engine, or you can put a jumper wire between the connector and battery to feed the pump directly. If the car starts & runs with the jumper connected, the pump is good.

 

this one?

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