My friends '99 Trans Am will turn over and try to crank, like it's running on fumes then just dies. I noticed that when the key is turned on you don't hear the fuel pump like I do on all of my vehicles. The car only has 45000 miles so I would be very surpeised if it were to be the pump. Could there be a relay out or something of that nature?

 

Some possible problems could be the ignition, fuel pump, or fuel filter. I'd start with the fuel filter, especially if it hasn't been changed recently. You can pick em up fairly cheap. If the engine's not getting enough fuel, it won't turn over. So, if it's not the filter...chances are there might be something wrong with the pump. If the pump is going, try starting the car facing downhill. If you're not getting enough fuel pressure to get it to turn over, maybe gravity can help you out some. Then again, if the engine's not getting a healthy spark, it won't turn over then either. Is he able to see if he's throwing any codes???

 

I don't think the pump is functioning at all. We changed the relays out and still nothing. Nah there no codes showing cause it won't crank...

 

Rather than throwing parts at the problem, diagnose it first. Buy a fuel pressure guage. Then you'll know for sure if you have sufficient pressure.

 

I had the same problem on my wife's '01 Grand Am. It was the fuel pump. But ya, try a guage to make sure.

Anyway, after 2 pumps went out (@ 60K miles) I found out that if you run your tank under 1/4 before fill up very often the pump overheats and craps out. The in tank pumps use the fuel for cooling. So try not to let your tank get under 1/4. We started doing that and haven't had anymore pump problems. The car now has over 115000 miles

 

Thanks for the info guys! we'll check that stuff out...