Thread: Fuel Pump Issue?

I have a 2000 GTP with 171,000 miles on it. I had a strange thing happen the other day. I was low on fuel so I stopped at the gas station and turned my car off to get gas. The pump's card reader wasn't working and I had my dog with me so I didnt want to run into the station to pre-pay for the gas. I thought I would just move to a different pump, but when I went to start my car it would crank and act like it was going to pop off but wouldn't fire up. About ten minutes of sitting there I decided to try again and it started right up. I let it idle for about 15 minutes while waiting for my brother to stop by to follow me home. I drove home a couple of miles with no issues. I checked the codes and had a 0440 and 0128 which have been there for a long time and come and go.
Any ideas of what could be going on? I changed the CPS, fuel filter and MAF about 2 months back so I have pretty much ruled them out. Could my fuel pump have overheated or vapor locked due to low fuel level in tank? Could the fuel pump be going bad? When I turn the key on I hear the pump start and it sounds normal. I was going to test the fuel pressure this weekend. What would be a good pressure range?
Thanks for any help or ideas. I am hoping someone has had similar issues and can point me in the right direction. It could have been a one time thing but I want to make sure since I am often hauling my kids and it can get cold during a Minnesota winter.
Sorry for the long explanation, but I wanted to get it all in right away.
Thanks, Chad

I live out in Eagan so pretty much on the other side of the state from Rogers, but you can definitely relate to the cold snowy Winters we usually have!!

Thanks for the info, I will check the pressure this weekend and see if it falls in these ranges. I never really thought about the 0440 code being the issue since this code has come and gone for years, although it has pretty much stayed on for the past year or so. I'm not sure of a good way to track this leak. I replaced the gas cap, but I read somewhere that I should use an OEM and not just one off the shelf. I am thinking that is too simple to be the issue, but it might not be a bad place to start. Any other suggestions on how to track this leak? I've read spraying carb cleaner but it seems like there has to be a better way.

Thanks Again,
Chad

Update on the issue. Checked fuel pressure and it looked good. I thought it was a fluke and possibly caused by running the car too low on fuel. Car ran fine for about 10 days and then out of nowhere it wouldn't start. I banged on the access panel to the fuel pump and it started right up. Took it to my gaarge, turned it off and it wouldn't start again. I couldn't hear the fuel pump when I turned the key. We replaced the fuel pump and it has been running fine ever since. I am thinking I had a weak fuel pump that finally failed.

there is a junction in the trunk area where the short harness that goes to the fuel pump joins the main harness that runs inside the car. pop t out and apart and make sure all the terminals are clean and tight and not burned. we had a similar problem with my gf's 97 gp and while the original pump did indeed die, it was replaced and was working just peachy for a few days then the symptom repeated. the second replacement pump did the same. turns out the terminal on the grey wire (on her car, dunno bout a 2000) that provides power for the pump at that junction was slightly burned and caused intermittent contact. it was SO TOUCHY that beating on the fuel pump would fix it; just getting in and out of the car would fix it. so make sure its clean and tight and if not repair it