2003 cavalier...no fuel?

03 cavalier 2.2/62k miles (had extended warranty for 60k miles!)

Was out sunday at a local shop got in the car and drove to the parking lot exit realized I had forgotten something so I turned around went back in, and left the car running for about 5 minutes while I was in the store. Got back in the car, and put it in reverse and backed up about 3 feet and the car dies...

Now the car cranks just fine but no start.
I start looking things over and notice the fuel relay and ac are the same part so I switch them out still nothing. Checked the fuse box inside and under the hood nothing is blown. I then open the scrader valve on the fuel rail and press the valve pin only to see a few drops. I then hit the key again and notice I cannot hear the fuel pump kick on at all.

Should I assume the pump is bad?
Could another sensor cause the pump to not kick on prime when the ignition is turned on?

I considered trying some either in the air box, but if another sensor in the system is killing the pump that wont tell me much.

Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. I don't want to buy a pump to find out thats not the problem. Is there a plug going to the pump I could put a test light on to be sure the PCM is trying to engage the pump?

EDIT:Thought I should also mention. On the trip home my buddy and I stopped at autozone and had them slap the code scanner on the car. It is throwing no codes at all

Sorry I'm a little long winded and rambling...

03 cavalier 2.2/62k miles (had extended warranty for 60k miles!)

Was out sunday at a local shop got in the car and drove to the parking lot exit realized I had forgotten something so I turned around went back in, and left the car running for about 5 minutes while I was in the store. Got back in the car, and put it in reverse and backed up about 3 feet and the car dies...

Now the car cranks just fine but no start.
I start looking things over and notice the fuel relay and ac are the same part so I switch them out still nothing. Checked the fuse box inside and under the hood nothing is blown. I then open the scrader valve on the fuel rail and press the valve pin only to see a few drops. I then hit the key again and notice I cannot hear the fuel pump kick on at all.

Should I assume the pump is bad?
Could another sensor cause the pump to not kick on prime when the ignition is turned on?

I considered trying some either in the air box, but if another sensor in the system is killing the pump that wont tell me much.

Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. I don't want to buy a pump to find out thats not the problem. Is there a plug going to the pump I could put a test light on to be sure the PCM is trying to engage the pump?

EDIT:Thought I should also mention. On the trip home my buddy and I stopped at autozone and had them slap the code scanner on the car. It is throwing no codes at all

Sorry I'm a little long winded and rambling...

well u r in the right track on diagnosis

yes in the back there is a pulg for the fuel pump

is in the same area below the car close to the tank

u can unplug that connector and check for power
u need and assistant to crank the battery with the key while u test

if u checked fuses and relays

isa good chance the pump is bad but
always make sure before u buy

Well after some frustration searching forums and sites for info on how to be sure this pump was dead I thought it would be best if I posted back with what did work for me. I wish more people would do this as I found plenty of threads with similar symptoms, but not return posts to tell what the problem was or how it was diagnosed.

After jacking the car up and looking under the car just inside the passenger wheel I found a block with 3 plugs. The plug closest to the passenger wheel leads to the tank/fuel pump. Here is a picture showing the block. The arrow shows the wire that powers the pump itself. I pulled the plug and put my test light on the pins inside the plug block that is attached to the car not the wire leading to the tank. I know that seems obvious, but I don't want to confuse anyone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/scottfarcuz/DSCF1302----.jpg


When the ignition is turned on the pin inside the block should have power for a few seconds then kick off. I felt that was enough to tell me the pump had power and was bad. To be sure I also used a SMALL amount of starting fluid and the car ran for a few seconds.

I dropped the tank swapped out a ($250) complete float/pump assembly, and had the car back on the road in a little over an hour.

always good to provide others with the solution to the problem.
and damn.. replace a fuel pump in less then an hour.. thats impressive.

Yeah I was impressed with how easy it was. All clip style fasterns on the lines and the new assembly was complete with the hoses strainer and all..

When the ignition is turned on the pin inside the block should have power for a few seconds then kick off. I felt that was enough to tell me the pump had power and was bad. To be sure I also used a SMALL amount of starting fluid and the car ran for a few seconds.




So a fuel pump can go that fast? no warning, no sputtering, nothing?

I guess so. The car never showed any symptoms at all.

I keep saying Im going to take the old pump into the dealership swinging it like a crazed lunatic, but haven't. I don't think this pump should be dying this soon.

I guess so. The car never showed any symptoms at all.

I keep saying Im going to take the old pump into the dealership swinging it like a crazed lunatic, but haven't. I don't think this pump should be dying this soon.

hehe.. prolly a loose connecter that u pluged in when installing the thing :p

nah I had an electro geek friend look at it. He claims the pump is toast.