Timing belt, electrical problem, or fuel pump. Or something else?

Tiny
SILBERXX
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 194,000 MILES
I was driving just fine on 94, when the car basically shut down as far as performance, the RPM's dropped, period. I made it over to the shoulder, but the car wouldn't let me turn it off after it was in park. It basically stalled itself out. When my hazard lights were on, there was a buzzing noise. My power windows don't work. My door locks won't work. My key won't come out, even when you use the shift lock. It did magically come out once, but even out, every light on my dash was still lit up. The radio also doesn't work. And then we had to put the key back in for the tow truck driver. When you try to start it, it cranks, but it won't start. I've heard : fuel pump, timing belt, and also it could be an electrical problem. (I may be wrong. But I'm thinking if all the lights can stay on without a key in [Keep in mind they're not the ones that turn on when you open the door. They're only the ones on the dash.] There has to be something slightly electrical as atleast part of a problem. Either that or my car really is possessed like Christine.) So I suppose my question is, what would you guess the actual problem(s) is/are?
Saturday, April 7th, 2012 AT 4:43 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Start with a battery check.
Get the fuel pressure checked. Even if you hear it, it does not mean it is pumping fuel.
Check for spark.
One of these will fail and then you can find out why it wont start.

Roy
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Saturday, April 7th, 2012 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
I would say start by having the ignition switch checked/tested-
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Saturday, April 7th, 2012 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
DJCL
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  • 767 POSTS
Here is no timing belt on that car. You need to check for codes and spark fuel psi injector pulse. Let me know what you find
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Saturday, April 7th, 2012 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
SILBERXX
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  • 3 POSTS
I just replaced the battery 3-4 months ago, although I'm sure that will be something we'll check. Someone apparently replaced my gas tank with a 13 gallon tank instead of the standard 18 gallon tank at some point. If it is the fuel pump that's causing the problem, how will this affect the repair process, or rather will it affect the parts that I will need to purchase?
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Saturday, April 7th, 2012 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
DJCL
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First check your fuel psi
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Saturday, April 7th, 2012 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
SILBERXX
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Thanks everyone! I'll definitely take your advice and see what we find out!
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Saturday, April 7th, 2012 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
DJCL
  • MECHANIC
  • 767 POSTS
GOOD LUCK
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Sunday, April 8th, 2012 AT 1:24 AM

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