Why is 94 Pontiac Sunbird not getting fuel?

Answer 1

OK, stupid answer, it's out of gas ;-) I assume that's not the issue though, so here's the most likely causes I can think of. Plugged fuel filter, plugged fuel line, malfunctioning fuel pump, blown fuse, short in the circuit. Best case scenario would be the fuel filter and the fuse. Check the fuse panel under the dash by the driver side door. The fuse for the pump should be clearly labeled, check and replace if necessary. Fuel filter would be the next easiest thing, I forget the exact location, but I'm pretty sure it's on the driver's side near the rear fender. In any case, look for something that looks kind of like a can of pop with a line coming out each side of it. I don't remember if this one uses bolt on fittings, or the quick disconnect fittings. If it's bolted, lubricate the threads first, and then using wrenches, carefully remove. If it's the plastic fittings, there's tools made specifically for removing these, but I've had good luck with a wrench and a hammer. There's a plastic piece that has to be pressed into the fitting, find the smallest wrench that will fit over the line, with the side of it against the fitting. Carefully hammer the side of the wrench to push it in, rotate the wrench as you hammer to change where the pressure is being applied. It'll probably be stuck, but keep working the wrench around, it'll go in eventually. The line should just pull right off. Install a new fuel filter and see what happens. If it's a plugged fuel line, that sucks. I wouldn't even know where to start to try and find where it's plugged. The only option I would have here would be to replace the entire line, which would be expensive, and very difficult. If you suspect the fuel pump has malfunctioned, there is at least one way I know of to check it. You'll need two people for this, and hopefully the wiring is accessible The pump is mounted on top of the tank, but if the plug is visible you can back probe with a voltmeter It should read 0 volts with the ignition off. Have someone turn the key to the ON position (don't try to start it, the ON position will energize the pump). If the voltage climbs (upwards of 12 volts, but not necessarily that high), then there is current going to the pump. The voltage should then drop right away. If no voltage is read, suspect a short somewhere, all I can say there, is happy hunting. If the voltage appears correct, then suspect that the pump is faulty. You will have to remove the gas tank for this. At this point, I would highly recommend picking up a manual Chilton's or Haynes, or factory service manual if available. I've never dropped the tank on this car, but it should be about the same as the ones I have done, a pain in the butt. There should be 2 straps holding it up to the car, they're hooked underneath the car at one end, and bolted at the other end. BTW, if you can, remove as much fuel from the tank as possible, the lighter it is, the easier this will be. If accessible, unplug any electrical connectors, and disconnect any fuel lines. You'll probably also need to remove the filler tube somewhere, either at the fuel door, or at the tank itself. With the tank supported, unbolt the straps (you'll probably need to lubricate the threads, they will be rusty as hell), and carefully lower the tank. If you weren't able to disconnect anything, don't remove the bolts completely. If you thread them out almost to the end, you may be able to tip the tank far enough that you can now unhook anything you couldn't reach. Finally, tank the tank off the car, and move it to an area where you can work on it. Outside would be ideal, the more ventilation, the better. The pump will be held in one of two ways, either a lock ring, or a snap ring. If it's a lock ring, you'll need a BRASS or ALUMINUM chisel or similar device that you can hammer it with. DO NOT USE STEEL, it will spark and could cause an explosion! Once rotated to the unlock position, the ring should come off, and the pump can be lifted out. Be careful not to allow any debris to fall into the tank, unless you're planning to clean the tank anyways. If it's a snap ring, you'll just need a snap ring pliers to remove it. Install a new pump, put everything back together, and cross your fingers. If it isn't any of these things, I'm sure there's a few other possibilities like the fuel pressure regulator, but I don't any experience with those.