What is wrong with my car?

Tiny
AJOLET
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
  • 49,000 MILES
When I turn the key on I can hear the fuel pump prime up. I say fuel pump cause that is what I first thought it was but I am not sure. I replaced the the fuel filter. But the issue I am having is that my car just shuts off going down the highway and it will crank back up if I let it sit for 2 or three minutes. Everybody keeps telling me its the fuel pump but I am not sure what is making it do this. Any advice would be great I really want my car running good again.
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 AT 12:43 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Only does it on highway? When it quits, a fuel pressure test will tell you if your pump is ok.
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 AT 2:13 AM
Tiny
AJOLET
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Its only when the vehicle is moving its never when it is idling. I guess I am gonna test the relay and check the ground tomorrow. I am not very good at mechanic work, but I am kind of learning as I go so any advice would be most appreciated.
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 AT 11:42 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
What motor is it?
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 AT 2:36 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Is it sudden death quit or stuttery die out? Generally spark quitting is more abrupt then fuel pump quitting.
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 AT 2:50 AM
Tiny
AJOLET
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It is a v6 and it is a sudden quit no stuttering or anything it just without warning dies and if I let it sit for a little bit it will crank again. I never know when its gonna die it just speratically happens.
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 AT 5:57 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Crank/cam sensors are notorious for such behavior.
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 AT 6:25 AM
Tiny
AJOLET
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Is it a crank sensor, cam sensor or a crank cam sensor and how can I test it?
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 AT 9:57 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
When it happens again, check for spark.
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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 1:33 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Separate sensors. You didn't say which motor you have.
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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 1:45 AM
Tiny
AJOLET
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It is a v6
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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 2:09 AM
Tiny
BUDDY JENKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
He means which v6 there is more than one v6 that was put in the firebirds it should tell u on the top of the motor and another way to test for bad sensors is I u unhook the sensor and the car keeps runnin then that sensor is bad but if it dies the then sensor is good
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Friday, November 11th, 2011 AT 6:57 PM

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