Car won't start fuel problem

[maiahsdad]

Well everyone, the plot THICKENS!

Had the company who changed the fuel pump and sending unit to go back in WITH me standing there this afternoon. Still problem. Here's what they did.

Remember the scenario: Diven 200 miles but gauge still says FULL.

1. They pulled the wires from the sending unit and indicated that the gauge should fall to EMPTY. It did.
2. They plugged it back in and said it should go to FULL. It did.
3. They "shorted" the cable from the sending unit to the gauge and said that it should fall to EMPTY. It did.

THEN, without doing anything else, the gauge BY ITSELF crept back up to FULL and there it sits. So the mechanics checked their work and told me that now it rests between me and the dealer.

Thoughts?

[N*Caddy]

It could be a matter of a bent arm.
The test you described just proves that your fuel gauge is working (the one on the dashboard). The real test is to remove the fuel sending unit from the pump so you can have the sending unit outside the fuel tank while the fuel pump is in the tank, or disconnect the fuel pump and leave connected just the fuel sending so you can have both outside the tank.
In any situation just slide the arm on the sending unit and check if the gauge follows the movement.
Is fairly easy to bend the arm when inserting the fuel pump in the tank (well if that happens is either you don’t know better or you don’t care).
As for normal behavior…in my car the tank is full the first 90-110 miles then starts dropping pretty fast. Strange thing is that when is half way I only add ~10 gallons to fill up (i.e. is about the correct amount). I changed the fuel pump over 3 years ago and I can assure you it was the same even with the original pump/fuel sending assembly.

Conclusion:
You ruled out the fuel gauge (part of the IPC) and the harness.
The arm is bent (eventually as the tank is getting empty the gauge should start dropping).
The fuel sending unit is jammed (mechanically) on the full mark (can imagine how is possible but is possible - say the busing is too tight). If is still full even with a dry tank than that's your case.

[maiahsdad]

Today, after 168 miles, the gauge (on the dash) moved. Now, it's sitting on the SECOND mark from full, and the instrument panel indicates that I've used 11.8 gallons of fuel. Isn't that a LOT of fuel used to only go 168 miles?

I think I'll go and fill it up and see what happens.... OR... maybe I'll wait until the instrument panel says 17 gallons used and see what the fuel gauge says.

Only thing is... the garage filled my tank following the fuel pump installation ($51 worth of Chevron), and I HOPE they reset the "gallons used" indicator... If not, I could be walking.

Any suggestions?

[Ranger]

That works out to only 14.2 MPG. Not very good. Are you doing a lot of city driving? Heavy right foot? I would seriously doubt that they reset the fuel used button. I'd fill it now and start over to be on the safe side.

[maiahsdad]

Originally Posted by Ranger

That works out to only 14.2 MPG. Not very good. Are you doing a lot of city driving? Heavy right foot? I would seriously doubt that they reset the fuel used button. I'd fill it now and start over to be on the safe side.

Yep, I think you're right. The reason I chose this particular place is because the manager and two head mechanics used to work for the large Caddy dealer here in the Indy area (Tuttweiler Caddy). So, think I'll head out after awhile and try to find some Shell. The Chevron is a ways away.

[maiahsdad]

Hello everyone. Went and filled the car up. Held 13.75 gallons! That means that I only had roughly 5 gallons left!!!! Please take a look at the pic I'm uploading to see where the fuel gauge is, and if you can SEE it, notice the gallons used, and on the left, there's the miles driven. 172 miles driven with 12.3 gallons used. Seems the needle would be MUCH more to the LEFT.

What you guys and gals think?

[maiahsdad]

double post by accident.

[zonie77]

I think they bent the are without realizing it and the gauge reads more full than it should.

[Ranger]

At 12 gallons used it should be on the other side of half. That gauge is indicating about 5-6 gallons used.

[N*Caddy]

Originally Posted by zonie77

I think they bent the are without realizing it and the gauge reads more full than it should.

Yup!
Definitely the floater arm is bent.

[the recluse]

Originally Posted by N*Caddy

Yup!
Definitely the floater arm is bent.

Makes you wonder what kind of force they would use to put it in...? I have changed a good 30 pumps in my time (in various cars) and have never bent any parts. Sometimes you DO have to finesse the rod in there, however.

So the real question would be; what is the correct angle for this pump? Have fun playing with that one

[SRT80953]

Well guy's I am having fun now. I have changed filter, it was pretty clogged. Checked Maxi fuse, swapped relays and checked fuses. The tank was dropped and new pump installed. Still no fuel. I have double checked every thing. HELP! What's next? I love the car hate the problem.
Mike

[Ranger]

It sounds like the fuel pump is not getting power. That being the case I guess you're gonna have to start tracing wires back and see where the power lose is.

[SRT80953]

That is the plan for tonight. The sad thing is with 78k miles the original fuel pump was probably ok. I am hoping to get my neighbor to help as he is a actual mechanic. Getting him to help will probably cost me some Seahawk tickets though.
The Delphi pump looked nothing like the one I pulled out plus the wire connectors were different and required splicing. I went with the Carter as it was what I pulled out.

[SRT80953]

Current codes,p0231,u1129?