2000 Montana Undiagnosed Problem...

My 2000 Montana that I have owned since new has recently been giving me a serious problem. In June of 2003 I replaced the fuel pump, but I don't know if that would be linked to the problem or not. That work was done at a Pontiac dealer.

In April of this year I went out in the morning to start the van and it turned over but didn't fire at all, kind of like there wasn't any fuel getting through. I had it towed to the same dealer to diagnose the problem and as soon as it arrived the mechanic started it right up like nothing was wrong. They kept it for a few days trying to diagnose it and found nothing wrong. I picked it up and about 6 weeks later, guess what? My wife drove it to the doctors office and when she came out about an hour or so later to the parking garage where she left it, it wouldn't start once again. When I arrived to help (she was 8 months pregnant at the time) I tried turning it over and it seemed to get a little gas at first and start for a second or two, then it was the same as before and would not even fire at all, it just turned over. I again took it to the same dealership and it of course started right up again. They kept it for 3 days and were unsuccessful at reproducing the problems and so I picked it up again and it ran fine. Guess what happened today when I tried to start the van in my garage this morning? Not a damn thing. It turns over and no firing at all. So now I will try to get it towed to another dealer and see if they can find something the other one couldn't. This is definately a problem as I like to travel by van to see relatives, but with brand new twin infants I don't think I would like to take that chance that the vehicle leaves us stranded somewhere in the heat.

Any ideas for what this problem could be? Any help is very much appreciated!

Slim

Sounds like it could be a clogged fuel filter. IT would definitly be the cheaper of the fixes (that or a fuel pump). I think the'res a howto here someplace, or get a haynes manual, or take it to the dealer. Shouldn't be much labor involved.

After the van gets a good jostling around from being towed, it starts.

I'd not have it towed, or even touched at this point. Try starting it again, see if it will start if it just sits.

Barring that, see if you can get a tech to come to it, right where it sits, and troubleshoot it while the problem is still present.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Edit: Sounds like a bad electrical connection, to me. Pop the top off the fuse box above the battery, and start wiggling those fuses. I've had a problem with loose/bad fuse clips on my '01 Montana. That's where I'd start.

Thanks for reply Dan! They finally diagnosed the problem! It was a short in the wiring harness leading to the fuel pump. I'm sure it was interupting the fuel flow and that is what caused the problem. The total bill will probably run $170.00 Parts&Labor. It will be nice not worrying about it anymore, especially with the newborn infants in the car.

Also, anyone know how easy it is to replace the temperature sensor that provides the information for the overhead display. I think it is located behind the grill somewhere. The part is only $9, but they wanted $35 to install it and I thought I would do it myself.

Slim

P.S. What a great forum!

Sorry didn't see your post first time Umina, thanks!

The same problem has been driving me nuts for 3 months. I hope it is the same thing. Can you give any more details about the where the wiring short was?

Well, like I said, they finally diagnosed it at the dealership. I didn't ask for the old part back after, but since there wasn't very much labor, I have to assume they didn't have to drop the fuel tank to get to it. So that may be good news that you can get to it without too much work. I just looked at the receipt and it was only 2 hours labor, which means it probably only took just over an hour. The specific part number they replaced is 012181776. They described it as a fuel pump conector and a harness. They billed me 34.32 for the part, so it wasn't too expensive. Maybe if you have a manual on the Montana you will be able to find where this goes and save yourself 150 bucks in labor. If they only bill me 2 hours on it, it has to be easy to find. Let me know how it goes, OK?

The same problem has been driving me nuts for 3 months. I hope it is the same thing. Can you give any more details about the where the wiring short was?
Thanks a ton....It is greatly appreciated.

I have a 2000 montana that sounds like the same thing as some of these postings with it not starting periodically..trying to find the part to replace it but can't seem to locate that part # can anyone help with an alternative..found harness/connector different # though and don't know if it's right one..help..stranded with 4 kids... ;)

I checked the invoice again and the part # is correct and it is described a a Harness. You might want to try a Pontiac Dealer's Parts Department and if you have, try another one. If you still have no luck, try the dealership I went to, Sunland Park Pontiac Buick GMC @ 888-843-7297.

thank-you so much for your quick reply, I contacted a dealership and they ordered the part for me so hopefully that's the problem, we've tried everything else. He did get that part # and exact $$ amount as you quoted also..I can't thank you enough for the info that you posted..I have had numerous problems with this van in the last year I've owned it and will trade it in when I fix this and the power window that has gone out also. thnkx soooo much, I'll keep you posted to whether it worked..my fingers are crossed!!!! :)

Hope it works for you. I haven't really had any other problems to speak of except for the fuel pump going out last year. I like the vehicle alot.