1995 Saturn SL2 dies after running a few mins

Tiny
CARLUCCIJA
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
This SL2 dies after running within a few mins. It has had 3 new fuel pumps replaced. A new fuel filter has been installed. After installing the first pump the car ran for almost 10 mins then died and loss all fuel pressure to only about 9 psi. The second pump did the same with great fuel pressure to start out, then only 9 afterwards. Before installing the third. The fuel tank was cleaned out. The fuel lines were blown out using an air compressor. Installed the third pump and the same thing happened. Checked voltage going to the pump and all wires were getting correct voltage. Checked wires for any damage or shortage and found none. I know there is alot of miles on the car, but could this really stop the car from running? Need Help HERE! PLEASE!
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 AT 9:47 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,395 POSTS
Roughly how long are these pumps lasting? What is happening to the pumps, burn out, lose pumping capacity, etc? Do these pumps quit going down the road or all of a sudden the car won't start? Please advise. One more thing, have you had any alternator problems or flickering headlights?
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
CARLUCCIJA
  • MEMBER
  • 29 POSTS
The pumps only last a few mins once installed. The original went out driving down a highway and was towed back. First the fuel filter and pump were replaced. The car started then after about 10 mins all fuel pressure was lost, with only about 9 psi. The fuel pressure check spot is before the injectors so we ruled the injectors out. Next the second pump went in. The car started and again after about 10 mins the car started to making a gurgle sound then slowly die out like it was choking. From that point the fuel tank was cleaned out. Then the fuel lines blown out with air to make sure there were no clogs in the lines. Finally a third pump was put in. The fuel pressure was checked and pressure was right. The wires to the pump were checked and voltage was right. It ran for 10mins then slowly died. After that pressure was dropped and wouldn't start. We are doing this in a shop. The car belongs to my friend and we are working on it. We have had no altenator problems. No light flickering. Voltage checks out when the car was running for the 10 mins. We just seem to not be able to sustain fuel pressure and cannot figure out why.
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,395 POSTS
This is crazy. So far you have done everything I would do in your position.
I wnet back to your Saturn diagram specs to see if there is a voltage reduction circuit for the fuel pumpafter engine start. But, there isn't. It's 12 volts all the way.
Where are you getting your fuel pumps? I hope they're under warranty. Let me know on the origin of the pumps.
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
CARLUCCIJA
  • MEMBER
  • 29 POSTS
We are getting the pump at Advance Auto Parts. The local parts store. We have already gone on the third. We are stuck on this problem, we've done everything we thought we should do. We talked to a GM Tech and he isn't sure as well.
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Thursday, April 16th, 2009 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,395 POSTS
Do the fuel pumps "not" run when you take them out?
We're going to go back a couple steps here.
I'm assuming you have the pressure gauge connected when you started out with a new pump, CORRECT?
As the pump was "dying", did you notice any rise in fuel pressure?
When you blew out the lines did you blow out both the feed and return?
What ever is going on here is probably what killed your original pump. And it can only be one of 2 things. Over pressure or over voltage.
Have I missed anything here?
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Thursday, April 16th, 2009 AT 8:53 PM

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