Car starts but dies after 2-3 seconds

ZACH WALDEN

MEMBER
2004 PONTIAC GTO
5.7L
V8
2WD
MANUAL
158,000 MILES

My car ran out of gas, and the battery died in the same night. I tried to start it after putting gas in it and charged the battery but it acted like it wasn’t getting fuel. I can hear the fuel pump, and I checked at the fuel rail and there’s plenty of pressure. I was told it could be security locked, but I’m not sure. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 AT 4:12 AM

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi,

If it is a security issue, there will be a light on the dash that indicates it is preventing it from starting. If you question the anti-theft system, try this.

Turn the key to the run position and wait approximately 10 minutes. If there is an indicator lamp on, it should turn off after that time allowing the engine from starting.

Next, although you see fuel and hear the pump, there still could be a pressure issue or an injection issue. So, I need you to try something.

See if the engine starts if you use starting fluid. If it does and then stalls, we know it is a fuel-related issue. If there is no change, it sounds like you may have lost spark to the plugs.

In this case, I need you to check for spark.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

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Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 AT 5:19 PM