Hi all, Came out of the store the other day to find my 02 Grand am would not start. Had it towed home and began diagnostics.

Engine cranks great (2.2 ecotec L61) with 95k. Will buck and chug like it wants to start, but stalls out shortly after. Engine shakes violently while stalling. Compression checks our fine, no vacuum leaks, fuel pump fuse is good and I swapped the relay with an identical one.

I suspect fuel pump itself is bad. I cannot hear it click on when key is turned to "on" position, even with my ear next to the tank. But before I replace the pump, I want to make sure it couldn't be related to passlock or anything else unforeseen. Security light does not stay on after failed crank. It stays solid when key is in on position, then turns off after failed crank. So I don't think its the security system. Fuel pump fuse is seeing battery voltage at the fuse compartment, but not sure if its making it all the way back to the pump.

So I have basically narrowed it down (imo) to the fuel pump itself, or the wiring going to the fuel pump. Just wanted to gather a few opinions as to what else it could be before I start working on it. I read a few posts saying it could be ignition cylinder related, but those were mostly pertaining to the passlock sensor.

Open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance!

You can also eliminate other things like ignition also. Throw some ether into it and see if it runs. If it does, then put a fuel pressure tester on the fuel rail and see what the pressure is.

Being a 2002, I wouldn't suspect wiring to be an issue. Unless your car has been in the ocean before. But, being 11 years old and only 95k, pump failure is the lease likely candidate.

Thank for the reply mike. I should have added it runs for about 2-4 second with starting fluid, but very roughly. I would think it should run a bit longer with a lot of fluid in there, and run fairly smoothly while it is running. Once te ether evaporates it will run for maybe a few seconds before it stalls out. I also have spark on all 4 cylinders. Did rent a fuel pressure gauge and got 0 psi, but I dont think the fittings on it were opening the valve. I did just push the valve open with a wrench and only a few drops dripped out, so I don't think any pressure is in the lines.

If you have the tool, remove the guts to the schrader valve and reinstall the pressure tester. This will remove any doubt of it not making the connection. But, I think it worked the first time and 0 is probably what your really seeing. Time to diagnose further.

Did you figure out what the problem was? I'm having the same issue on my 04 Grand am.

Start a new thread and tell us what your problems are. We will be more than happy to help.