This car was given to me and the previous owner said their niece drove it till it ran out of gas. After that it wouldn't start. I figured it was a simple fix. Usually running completely out of fuel will burn up the fuel pump. I bought a new fuel pump and put it in which wasn't hard at all. I threw a new battery in her and thought it would start right up. But no, she just cranks but never fires up. I checked the EFI relay and it is good. I looked at all of the fuses and all is good. I connected my OBDII reader and there are no codes. I even used my reader to wipe the error codes just in case, no joy. The security light is slow blinking until I put the key in, then it goes away. I had planned a full tune u(plugs, coils, filters, oil) once I got it home but I haven't done any of that yet. The car has been sitting for 2 years. Do y'all have any idea of what this could be? I don't have the master key, with the key fob, all I have is the secondary key which the owner said has always worked. I REALLY don't want to take it to the stealership.

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

I just put a new fuel pump in it. That was the first thing I did based on the information from the previous owner. This thing really has me stumped. I have looked all over for information on this issue and it can be everything from new plugs to replacing the ECM. I think I am going to tow it to my house today and tear it apart. Eventually I will find the issue. I am just hoping someone here has had something similar so I could have a good place to start.

 

As much as I hate asking obvious questions (though it's always good to verify): you're certain the fuel pump actually receives voltage and no trouble on that circuit?
If you are not in possession of a volt meter, I think there might be a way to hear it from outside the vehicle when you insert the key and turn to 'Run'.

If the flashing Security light at the left of the steering extinguish and remains off when the key is inserted, that for sure should eliminate the Immobilizer as the source of trouble.

 

Sometimes obvious things aren't so obvious so I don't mind the question at all. I tested the fuel pump before I put it in and it worked. I still have the carpet up from when I installed it and it is not turning on at all when the key is turned on. Once I get it home I will throw my volt meter on the plug to see if power is getting to the fuel pump when the car is set to run.

The security light remains off when the key is inserted.

 

Hi jdbayer, These cars can sometimes be difficult to start when they been sitting a long time.

Also, there is always a chance that the girl "thought" she ran out of gas but could be something else- who knows.

PS- Did you unhook the fuel line at the fuel rail and pump some fresh gas thru the lines already?
PS- Better yet can get some cheap injector seals and pull the rail and make sure it isn't full of slime from sitting with fuel in it for 2 years.

 

I would check the pump and it's circuit for voltage and ground to make sure everything's working on that front, it's not unheard of to get a dead pump these days. Who did you buy it from?

 

Simple checks are in order.
Do the fluid level check ... you dont want engine to start with say no oil.
Check for spark .. plug #2 is very accessible. Will eliminate immobilizer.
There is a quick fuel line connector from the body to the engine under a plastic U cover ,,,, down below the brake booster area. See if it spews out fuel ,,, connect a tube and keep it away from flame/spark/heat ... this will confirm fuel to the engine.

Fuel gums out. You may have to reach out for starter fluid through the intake and once it gets going you may have to service the fuel-rails, injectors and iacv

Salim