Starting Problems and Fuel Gauge Fluctuation

My daughter owns a 1999 Grand Am SE V6 - I believe it is a 3.4. I bought it about a year and a half ago from a reputable company. She told me that lately her gas gauge went from almost empty to pinned to full and then slowly comes down to where it should (hopefully) be registering. My mechanic said it was probably the fuel pump going bad and it would cost about $500 to fix. Just yesterday the car would not start. Thinking it was the battery, we jumped it and it started. When we shut it off and tried to start it again, it wouldn't. When you start the ignition it sounds like a dead battery, but if you press the gas pedal and try to start it a couple of times it starts. She's going off to college in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if I should have the fuel pump replaced or what else the problem could be.

My daughter owns a 1999 Grand Am SE V6 - I believe it is a 3.4. I bought it about a year and a half ago from a reputable company. She told me that lately her gas gauge went from almost empty to pinned to full and then slowly comes down to where it should (hopefully) be registering. My mechanic said it was probably the fuel pump going bad and it would cost about $500 to fix. Just yesterday the car would not start. Thinking it was the battery, we jumped it and it started. When we shut it off and tried to start it again, it wouldn't. When you start the ignition it sounds like a dead battery, but if you press the gas pedal and try to start it a couple of times it starts. She's going off to college in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if I should have the fuel pump replaced or what else the problem could be.

Does not sound like the fuel pump. Check these things first!

Check your air filter, no air - car stalls.
Replace Fuel filter, about $40 includes parts. Clogged filter, car won't stay on.

Write back.

My daughter owns a 1999 Grand Am SE V6 - I believe it is a 3.4. I bought it about a year and a half ago from a reputable company. She told me that lately her gas gauge went from almost empty to pinned to full and then slowly comes down to where it should (hopefully) be registering. My mechanic said it was probably the fuel pump going bad and it would cost about $500 to fix. Just yesterday the car would not start. Thinking it was the battery, we jumped it and it started. When we shut it off and tried to start it again, it wouldn't. When you start the ignition it sounds like a dead battery, but if you press the gas pedal and try to start it a couple of times it starts. She's going off to college in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if I should have the fuel pump replaced or what else the problem could be.

Oops, forgot to address your gauge issue. I have a 99 grand am 3.4 also, that same issue started with my car. I called around, the problem there is that most auto parts stores sell the unit a whole. The part you need is the "Fuel sending Unit". Its a part that attaches to the fuel pump. ( Cost $140.) Some stores cost about $250 w/fuel pump. Go to your local Pontiac dealer for price comparsion.

I was able to fix my problem (which is yours) by filling the tank.

Oops, forgot to address your gauge issue. I have a 99 grand am 3.4 also, that same issue started with my car. I called around, the problem there is that most auto parts stores sell the unit a whole. The part you need is the "Fuel sending Unit". Its a part that attaches to the fuel pump. ( Cost $140.) Some stores cost about $250 w/fuel pump. Go to your local Pontiac dealer for price comparsion.

I was able to fix my problem (which is yours) by filling the tank.


***Thank you so much for the quick response. I will check the air filter. I'm not sure what you mean by "the unit a whole". Is that the fuel sending unit? I'm no mechanic but I do know a couple things. Is this something I can do on my own or should I bring the "unit" to my mechanic for installing.

Also, what do you mean by fixing the problem by filling the tank. When the problem happens, the tank is approx. 1/2 way filled.

Please let me know what you think. I thank you so very much for your prompt response.

what he means by "unit a whole" aka "whole unit" is the fuel sending unit with the fuel pump already attached. Often times the fuel sending unit is sold with the new pump already attached and it costs more than the units that don't have a pump included. The thinking is if your pump is good why pay to replace it if you don't have to.

If your not comfortable dropping the tank then you should take it to your mechanic, it's no small task and if your not prepped and ready to do it just leave it for someone who is better equipped to do the job.

Filling the tank to fix the problem usually means dislodging a stuck float level by filling the tank above the level the float is stuck at. The float will be under more pressure to lift up and dislodge and typical bumps in the road will typically jar it loose.

Hope this helps, good luck with the car.

what he means by "unit a whole" aka "whole unit" is the fuel sending unit with the fuel pump already attached. Often times the fuel sending unit is sold with the new pump already attached and it costs more than the units that don't have a pump included. The thinking is if your pump is good why pay to replace it if you don't have to.

If your not comfortable dropping the tank then you should take it to your mechanic, it's no small task and if your not prepped and ready to do it just leave it for someone who is better equipped to do the job.

Filling the tank to fix the problem usually means dislodging a stuck float level by filling the tank above the level the float is stuck at. The float will be under more pressure to lift up and dislodge and typical bumps in the road will typically jar it loose.

Hope this helps, good luck with the car.


Thanks for the reply. I think I'll mention the "unit" to my mechanic and just leave it up to the expert (sounds like kind of a "big job" for me). Hopefully it won't cost me too much $$$.

Do you think $500 is a lot for the mechanic to charge or does that sound pretty reasonable?