2002 Pontiac Grand Am will not stay running

Tiny
WILLIWILL8028E8028
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
My grand am will crank and will run for a second then will shut off. I then have to wait for a few mintues then try it again. I was driving it and it would seem like it would miss fire then it just lost power and now it will start for a second them die. What is the probelm?
Sunday, February 10th, 2008 AT 11:06 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do you have a check engine light On or has flashed before?

Last tune-up?

Check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge and give me the readings, this is where we start
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Monday, February 11th, 2008 AT 4:01 AM
Tiny
WILLIWILL8028E8028
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No lights has come on before the problem started and still has not since I have been trying figure out what the problem is. I had a tuneup done about a year and half ago.

Before this problem started, while I was driving it seemed like it was missing but never would stop. Right before it stop it started doing it wrose. I stopped at a light and it was running fine then when I started again the engine lost power but did not die but I could not do no more than about 2 or 3 mph until it died.
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try having the exhaust system checked for an excessive backpressure-to rule out the catalytic converter and then comeback.
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 AT 11:47 AM
Tiny
WILLIWILL8028E8028
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I got the problem code for it and it read PO171.

Willie
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
P0171

A lean fuel condition can be caused by the following:

* Low fuel pressure due to a weak pump or leaky fuel pressure regulator. (Use a fuel pressure gauge to check fuel pressure at idle)

* Dirty fuel injectors. (Try cleaning the injectors)

* Vacuum leaks at the intake manifold, vacuum hose connections or throttle body. (Use a vacuum gauge to check for low intake vacuum)

* Leaky EGR valve. (Check operation of EGR valve)

* Leaky PCV Valve or hose. (Check valve and hose connections)

* Dirty or defective Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF). (Try cleaning the MAF sensor wires or filament with aerosol electronics cleaner. Do NOT use anything else to clean the sensor, and do not touch the sensor wires)
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 AT 2:42 AM
Tiny
WILLIWILL8028E8028
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I checked the fuel pressure and I didn't get a reading. I also called the manufacture and they told me that the pressure should read between 45 and 55 PSI and I only oot about 3 PSI. Dose that mean that it is the fuel pump? Mind you I do hear the pump come on when I turn the key to the on position.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Replace the fuel pump-
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Thursday, February 14th, 2008 AT 4:23 PM

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