Problem happens mostly with a full tank of gas

JJJENIFFERMH

MEMBER
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU

I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu Classic. I had a remote start installed for my bday at Audio Playground Electronics 2 yrs ago. The battery kept dying. After 3 batteries and 2 mechanic bills later (including a new computer in my car worth over $500) we finally unhooked the remote start completely. The remote start was improperly installed & the wiring was a mess & it fried a bunch of stuff on my car so I don't know if the current problem is related. Current problem -car died on way home (sputtered out) and won't start, battery is fine. Car went to mechanic -new fuel filter -fuel pump tests fine. Mechanic also fixed messed up wire in ignition switch & repairs the wires to my air conditioner that had been cut when the remote start was installed. Get car home-won't start. Back to mechanic-replaced timing chain ($1100). Drive car home-full tank of gas-shut car off-2 hrs later wont start. Back to mechanic -fuel filter tests fine on all levels. Hit fuel pump & it starts (has worked over a dozen times). Wouldn't start today. Help.

4 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Have the fuel pump replaced. It is failing and intermittently would not work. Bumping the fuel pump a dozen times and it fired up indicates so. It can only be bumped started so many times before it completely fails.

Seems you have done a lot of unnecessary repairs and if you had mentioned bumping the fuel pump to the mechanics, I see no reason why they did not suspect it as the cause?

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Thursday, May 31st, 2012 AT 4:06 PM

JJJENIFFERMH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I had a typo in my original message. The fuel PUMP tests fine on all levels, not the fuel FILTER. The mechanic tested the fuel pump when I first brought my car to him, then he tested it three more times the next time I brought it in. He was the one who told me to hit the fuel pump/gas tank and that would make it start. He did not want to needlessly replace the fuel pump if it tests to work properly as it would cost $700 to do so. Is there any other way the pump could be getting clogged?

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Thursday, May 31st, 2012 AT 7:02 PM

JJJENIFFERMH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

How do I know if mechanic #1 actually replaced the computer in my car? I had asked him to look at my air conditioner and they quoted me $1000 to fix it. They went out of business shortly after that and I never had them fix the air (they had already replaced computer). Then when I took my car to mechanic #2 I had him look at it and he just replaced wires that had been cut by the remote start guys. He charged me less than $50 to fix the cut wires.
My car had just been paid off when all of these problems started 2 years ago. I have put over $4000 in repairs into this car since I paid it off :(
I can't afford a car payment, I have no choice but to fix it. I can't waste any more money on "mystery problems". Cry for your help.

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Thursday, May 31st, 2012 AT 7:57 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

A failing fuel pump can work intermittently and when you banged the fuel tank it works, that indicates the fuel pump is bad.

The fuel pump need not be OEM and I believe you can get one from the junkyard for a fraction of the cost.

When engine could not be started, test the fuel pressure. Ensure the fuel pump is working when turning the ignition on. Check out the following link for an idea what to look for.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

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Friday, June 1st, 2012 AT 1:18 PM