Changed fuel filter, now no start
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 69
From: land of 10,000 lakes
Changed fuel filter, now no start
Changed the fuel filter on my moms Caviler with 68k on it about, which was the original.
I backed the car up onto ramps with about 1/4 left in the tank. When I pulled the filter I noted that I got quite a bit of fuel that came out, like almost gushing out compared to when I do my 06 F150...but anyways put the new one in and went to start it and nothing....
At first I just turned that key over a few times to re prime the fuel lines and still got a no start...just cranks. Took it down off the ramps thinking that with maybe only a 1/4 in the tank all the fuel went forward, even put in another 3 gallons to bring the tank up to a 1/2 and still nothing...
I checked all the fuses and relays for the fuel pump and all are good.
I then pulled the fuel line back off the filter and had someone crank it over and I got nothing out of the fuel line...so the fuel pump is not pumping at all!
Whats going on here?
Is there a fuel pump inertia switch for this car?...I looked forever in the owners manual and did not see anything about one...
Only thing I can think of is that with a 1/4 in the tank at the time, if the fuel pump was in the back of the tank, air was introduced and somehow got air locked?....don't even know if that is possible but that's all I Got.
help me guys!
Thanks!
I backed the car up onto ramps with about 1/4 left in the tank. When I pulled the filter I noted that I got quite a bit of fuel that came out, like almost gushing out compared to when I do my 06 F150...but anyways put the new one in and went to start it and nothing....
At first I just turned that key over a few times to re prime the fuel lines and still got a no start...just cranks. Took it down off the ramps thinking that with maybe only a 1/4 in the tank all the fuel went forward, even put in another 3 gallons to bring the tank up to a 1/2 and still nothing...
I checked all the fuses and relays for the fuel pump and all are good.
I then pulled the fuel line back off the filter and had someone crank it over and I got nothing out of the fuel line...so the fuel pump is not pumping at all!
Whats going on here?
Is there a fuel pump inertia switch for this car?...I looked forever in the owners manual and did not see anything about one...
Only thing I can think of is that with a 1/4 in the tank at the time, if the fuel pump was in the back of the tank, air was introduced and somehow got air locked?....don't even know if that is possible but that's all I Got.
help me guys!
Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Usually, you MUST find the inertia switch to cut fuel to the engine and run the engine until it starves of fuel, that empties the lines so you do not get drowned in gas, sounds like that was not a option for you.
It is possible that the inertia switch (where ever it is) is tripped by the system being opened (to prevent fuel being pumped during a wreck) to change the filter........its got to be there somewhere, keep looking.
It is possible that the inertia switch (where ever it is) is tripped by the system being opened (to prevent fuel being pumped during a wreck) to change the filter........its got to be there somewhere, keep looking.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
Turn the key into the on position, and then take a 2x4 and bang on the bottom of the tank. Or even push down on the back of the car to get it rocking. And like someone else already posted, make sure you put the new filter on in the right direction. If all you did was change the fuel filter, and it was fine before, I would think it's just something simple. Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 69
From: land of 10,000 lakes
Yes, filter is on in the right direction. One end is threaded and the other is a slip over, so it is impossible to put in on backwards.
And I have done a little looking online and it looks it there is no inertia switch.
I will try banging the tank in the morning.
And I have done a little looking online and it looks it there is no inertia switch.
I will try banging the tank in the morning.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
every newer vehicle we've had around here ford , gm or otherwise has had an inertia switch on it . but nonetheless dain things are tempermental as my oldest had one for awhile . never could figure it out so i done the same thing i do now with the new ones here , take 'em to the dealer !! maybe put a ford badge on it ......................................
one stupid question , did you check to see if there was some garbage plugging the line in the tank ? also is the fuel pump good i.e. is the check ball in the pump still closing and not allowing the fuel to drain back when it's off ? i changed the filter on a gmc truck i had as it was thought to be plugged . wasn't starting like it should / sporadically . but if you hit it with starting fluid it'd start and run all day , and refire as long as it didn't sit too long . turned out the check ball was bad and the pump was gravity feeding the engine , and when off the fuel drained back sounds crazy i know but it happened ................
one stupid question , did you check to see if there was some garbage plugging the line in the tank ? also is the fuel pump good i.e. is the check ball in the pump still closing and not allowing the fuel to drain back when it's off ? i changed the filter on a gmc truck i had as it was thought to be plugged . wasn't starting like it should / sporadically . but if you hit it with starting fluid it'd start and run all day , and refire as long as it didn't sit too long . turned out the check ball was bad and the pump was gravity feeding the engine , and when off the fuel drained back sounds crazy i know but it happened ................
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
What year is the car? If it has an electric fuel pump in the tank it probably has an inertia switch. At some point, I believe they were mandated.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 69
From: land of 10,000 lakes
every newer vehicle we've had around here ford , gm or otherwise has had an inertia switch on it . but nonetheless dain things are tempermental as my oldest had one for awhile . never could figure it out so i done the same thing i do now with the new ones here , take 'em to the dealer !! maybe put a ford badge on it ...................................... one stupid question , did you check to see if there was some garbage plugging the line in the tank ? also is the fuel pump good i.e. is the check ball in the pump still closing and not allowing the fuel to drain back when it's off ? i changed the filter on a gmc truck i had as it was thought to be plugged . wasn't starting like it should / sporadically . but if you hit it with starting fluid it'd start and run all day , and refire as long as it didn't sit too long . turned out the check ball was bad and the pump was gravity feeding the engine , and when off the fuel drained back sounds crazy i know but it happened ................
one stupid question , did you check to see if there was some garbage plugging the line in the tank ? also is the fuel pump good i.e. is the check ball in the pump still closing and not allowing the fuel to drain back when it's off ? i changed the filter on a gmc truck i had as it was thought to be plugged . wasn't starting like it should / sporadically . but if you hit it with starting fluid it'd start and run all day , and refire as long as it didn't sit too long . turned out the check ball was bad and the pump was gravity feeding the engine , and when off the fuel drained back sounds crazy i know but it happened ................At Rockauto, they do show one for that year.
I have had others say Gm does not use an inertia switch that is a ford thing and Gm uses a oil pressure switch to run the fuel pump. IE, when there is oil pressure it will run the fuel pump and on starting it uses a relay to bypass the pressure switch til the car starts and builds oil pressure.
Not sure what to believe but I that I do know i have looked for it with no luck. Trunk, backseat, driver & passenger side kick panels, engine area.
I just don't get it...worked fine, changed filter, now it is dead
I will double check the line, but I know its clear, and the fuel pump does not even run...
Put a Ford badge on it....there you go!
I told my brother if I have to register at a Chevy Forum to figure this out, sh8t is going to hit the fan 
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 69
From: land of 10,000 lakes
I did not, no
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
j-body.org - the jbody organization is a good place to start if you have to cross over to the dark side. I have been there several times with my 99 cavi and most of the time they have led me in the right direction.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
Did a search and wait for this, the inertia switch is on top of the steering column under the air bag and "should not need reset unless the air bag deployed or the steering wheel was removed".
Does it have an anti-theft immobilizer? If so maybe try locking the car with the remote and then unlocking it again or whatever the usual proceedure is.
Good luck.
Does it have an anti-theft immobilizer? If so maybe try locking the car with the remote and then unlocking it again or whatever the usual proceedure is.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 69
From: land of 10,000 lakes
UPDATE:
Got the car towed in last night, for free under AAA towing.
Brought it to the shop we have been using for a very long time take a look at it because I was out of idea's. Well it turn's out the it was the fuel pump, completely dead. First question that I asked was if it had to do with anything that I did, they said no, none what so ever. So I guess it was just a freak timing thing. In a way I am glad it went out with it in the driveway.
After I had got it towed in, I did find a wiring diagram of were to find the test lead for the pump, but o'well I did not feel like changing a fuel pump anyways lol
Here it is though..
But anyways, got the car back already and all is good!
Got the car towed in last night, for free under AAA towing.
Brought it to the shop we have been using for a very long time take a look at it because I was out of idea's. Well it turn's out the it was the fuel pump, completely dead. First question that I asked was if it had to do with anything that I did, they said no, none what so ever. So I guess it was just a freak timing thing. In a way I am glad it went out with it in the driveway.
After I had got it towed in, I did find a wiring diagram of were to find the test lead for the pump, but o'well I did not feel like changing a fuel pump anyways lol
Here it is though..
But anyways, got the car back already and all is good!
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