Car won't start fuel problem

clank18 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-30-09, 08:20 PM

I have a 1999 eldorado that my son drives on near empty. The car was sitting for about 2 weeks and we went to start it one day using the remote starter. The low fuel sign was on and it ran for about five minutes. I thought it was out of fuel so I added about 3 gallons. all it does now is turn over won't start or seem like it wants to start. I tried listening for the pump to come on but hear nothing. I took off the fuel filter to replace it and a very little bit if fuel came out. Before I spend 300 dollars on a new pump is there any tests that i can perform to make sure that this is the problem. Also is there an access door to the pump like on the Seville. I know the tank is more forward and is not under the trunk.

carnut · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-09, 08:39 PM

The test is to verify fuel pressure by use of a gauge screwed onto the pressure fitting on the injector rail. You either have pressure or you dont. Even buying the gauge is cheaper than the $300.00!!!

chazglenn3 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-09, 09:28 PM

The fuel pump is cooled by the fuel running through it, so running a Cadillac out of fuel risks burning out the pump. Check the pressure as above, but be prepared to buy a pump.

**Ranger** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-30-09, 10:22 PM

And yes, the '99 does have an access panel in the trunk.

carnut · #5 (**permalink**) 05-30-09, 11:00 PM

Thats great, with that access you can also easily verify voltage to the pump as well.

N*Caddy · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-09, 04:11 AM

Is very simple to test if the pump is working as carnut said (you either have pressure or not). The simplest test possible is to remove the cap on the valve located at the end of the fuel line and press the valve in (like the tire valves just twice the size). Grab a rag before and cover the area around in case your fuel pressure is good should give a good solid spray. If no spray just some drips (or nothing at all) then you have 0 pressure (the eventual drips are just the remaining gas left at the end of the fuel line.
If no pressure test the fuel pump relay and the fuel pump fuse. If all fine chances are your pump is dead. At least is not an expensive repair (labor wise) since you have that access panel (is a 15 minutes job).

**Ranger** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-31-09, 11:34 AM

Quote:

you either have pressure or not

That is not necessarily true. The pump can be weak and put out 20 psi.You will hear it run and it will spray pressurized fuel from the service port, but there will not be enough pressure to start the car.

N*Caddy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-31-09, 03:51 PM

That's exactly what happened when my fuel pump died, over 3 years ago, I had 18psi only. But in that case my car did started but ran like crap and died to the slightest gas pedal press (it was just enough to maintain a crappy idle to drive in crawl mode (pretty handy considering I was night shift and it was in the middle of the winter – Canadian winter). But in his case the car does not start at all so is different situation. That's what I meant.

SRT80953 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 10:31 PM

Where is access panel? In my GM service manual it says drop tank! Yuck,did that on the wifes Caravan.
I don't want to pull carpet out to find no panel. I would think I could feel it through carpet.
1999 Eldorado ETC.
I was hoping to fix in parking lot it died in. I have changed fuse and swapped relay but still no hummmm!!!

**Ranger** · #10 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 10:38 PM

It's in the trunk.

SRT80953 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 10:43 PM

Thanks!
The temp is 95 today and working on my son's ETC was not the plan.

**Ranger** · #12 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 11:04 PM

Hehe, yeah I know how that goes.

maiahsdad · #13 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 11:51 PM

Hello Everyone. Well, here we go AGAIN! Another problem with my 99 STS. I love this car, but my now 3-month ownership has cost me more than I had anticipated. I would LOVE to get to DRIVE the car some.

My thought is that I have a fuel pump problem as well. Here we go:

I knew I needed gas soon (my fuel gauge reads incorrectly, so I use the GALLONS USED readout). I usually re-fuel at 17.5 gallons or so. Today, as I arrived at work, the car said I have used 17.3 gallons. All was well. This afternoon following my shift, I went out and started the car. As I started to pull off, it started sputtering. I turned the car off thinking that it MUST be out of gas (I use Shell V-Power). So, I asked a friend to take me to get a one-gallon can, and then over to the Shell station (less than 1/4 mile from my job).

I returned to the car, put the gallon of gas in the car... and NOTHING. It just spins over and over. The VERY FIRST try, it seemed to try to start, but that was IT. Nothing from then on.

There were no warning signs, NOTHING. JUST running fine into work, and BAM!

Anyone think it can be still in need of gas? It's stuck at my job now, and I can't afford to take it into the shop. I guess it'll just sit there until they tow it away, or until my next pay period so that I can hopefully pay to have it towed to Car-X. The Cadillac dealer wants $175 just to take a look at it.

I think I'm sunk...

**Ranger** · #14 (**permalink**) 08-07-09, 12:16 AM

Put a fuel pressure gauge on it and see what your fuel pressure is.

maiahsdad · #15 (**permalink**) 08-07-09, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Put a fuel pressure gauge on it and see what your fuel pressure is.

Thanks Ranger, I don't own one, and it's probably too expensive for me. A friend of mine asked me if I heard the "hiss" when I turned the switch on. I can't remember that I did. And the car's at my job so I can't check tonight (It's midnight here in Indy). But he suggested that I check two fuses under the back seat. He indicated that there's a minifuse (#1), and a relay beside it (#39) that both are in relation to the fuel pump. He thinks that if I hear no "hiss" or "hum"; which indicates that pump is trying to prepare to push fuel, that my fuse, relay, or both are possibly blown. I don't know if this is probable or not, but I can only check it in the morning when I go in to work.

Love the car... HATE the problems. And I financed it for the next 3 years. Yay...