A Car Problem - Anyone good with cars here?

I figured BHW might have someone who knows a thing or two about vehicles.

Keep in mind before answering. It has been doing this for over a year.

It's a 91 Camaro RS 3.1

When the car has been off for 4-5+ hours, it will crank but it won't start. You have to dick with the key and turning it for 2-5+ times to get it to start.

Also, when I'm driving in town it just dies.. The steering wheel locks up, the check engine light comes on and it just dies, but when it dies it'll usually start right back up.

Also, until the fuel filter was recently changed it has absolutely no power and was hesitating when going at slow speeds. It still hesitates a little bit but not nearly as bad and I'm currently working with a local mechanic but he doesn't think it's the fuel pump because there's no way to check it in my car he said.

Edit:
The rotor buttons have been changed, spark plugs, plug wires distributor cap and fuel filter have all been changed in the past 2 days.

It runs better when it's on but still having the same problems. Every one I personally know says it's the fuel pump but I figured to get some more opinions.

When you put your keys in the ignition and turn on the battery, listen for a humming/buzzing noise coming from underneath the car; you should hear the fuel pump turn on and start sending fuel / putting pressure into the fuel line. If you don't hear this, then yes it's probably your fuel pump.

If you notice your car dies when you have less than half a tank / quarter of a tank of gas, then it's probably the fuel pump -- because there's less pressure in the tank. Back in high school, I had an old car that would die out when I got down to less than a quarter of a tank of gas. It turned out to be the fuel pump :\

There are ways to test your fuel pump with a voltmeter (be very careful!) before just replacing it. Get one of those car repair manuals (Hayes?) from AutoZone and check it out. A lot of cars have access to the fuel pump / gas tank through a hole near the trunk, those manuals will show you how/where.

Also, check out eBay if you have to buy a new pump.

Essential Clix said:

When you put your keys in the ignition and turn on the battery, listen for a humming/buzzing noise coming from underneath the car; you should hear the fuel pump turn on and start sending fuel / putting pressure into the fuel line. If you don't hear this, then yes it's probably your fuel pump.

If you notice your car dies when you have less than half a tank / quarter of a tank of gas, then it's probably the fuel pump -- because there's less pressure in the tank. Back in high school, I had an old car that would die out when I got down to less than a quarter of a tank of gas. It turned out to be the fuel pump :\

There are ways to test your fuel pump with a voltmeter (be very careful!) before just replacing it. Get one of those car repair manuals (Hayes?) from AutoZone and check it out. A lot of cars have access to the fuel pump / gas tank through a hole near the trunk, those manuals will show you how/where.

Also, check out eBay if you have to buy a new pump.

Click to expand...

I haven't done the audible test yet.

But yes it dies on me all the time, only in the city and not on the freeway (thank god). It's only when I'm going slowly. Such as when I'm turning or going down a street, if I'm cruising slowly it'll die.. how ever if I drive like a teen with a lead foot and slam on the gas it won't die.

Going to do the audible test right now.

Was thinking the fuel pump too did the dude say why you can't check it? Doesn't sound too logical. But as i remember the fuel pump was pretty expensive to change ?

Once i drove to friends and next day i tried start the car, it would start only while throttling. and keep running with throttle. Had too less gas for it run without pressure. So i think too its probably the pump

Well I tried the audible test, had the key turned and pressed my ear against the hump and I didn't hear a thing.

@Antsaoo. Not sure, he told me there wasn't a fuel gauge pressure checker that would fit my car?

Maybe he just doesn't want to change the fuel pump because it's a lot of work? I don't know. Well every one i've asked so far says fuel pump so i'll go with that.

Here are my guesses(in order):

Low fuel pressure
Idle air control valve
vacuum leak

The fuel pump is inside the gas tank. take the gas cap off and have someone turn the key on while you listen through the fuel fill hole.

You need more backlinks! Oh, what, wrong question? It's sounds so like a fuel pump I don't know why you didn't rule this out a year ago?

I had a car with similar symptoms. The problem was the battery terminal. It was loose and the would intermittently turn off when the rpms were low. I would have to jiggle it a bit. It got to be a pain getting out of my car at stop lights it jiggle the terminal. I know that it could be a number of issues, but at least consider the electrical connections.