I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

[Robb01]

I drive a 99 firebird w/ a 5-speed. Last night I was driving along, all of a sudden I couldn't accelerate. Id give the car gas and it wouldn't do anything. Then the check gages light came on. So I pulled off the road, when I turned off the road it felt like my PS steering was gone as the wheel was hard to run. I checked to make sure it wasn't the serpentine belt. Now when I turn the car on int idles really rough for ~ 15 seconds then dies. I can't give it gas when it starts to die either , it wont rev. Any ideas? I'm at a loss, and the shop I had it towed to doesn't open until Monday. Thanks

[Blue02]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

Any mods? How did it sound when it happened? Notice any funny smells? When you try to crank it does it turn over/sound normal?

[Robb01]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

The only mods are exhaust tubing after the cat w/ tips, and I removed the air silencer. The car has 81, xxx on it

[cam98aro]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

99 has the drive by wire TB's, right?

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

So the check gauges light came on, which gauge was reading weird? Honestly sounds like you ran out of gas, but I'm sure you would have caught that one :P

[cam98aro]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

So the check gauges light came on, which gauge was reading weird? Honestly sounds like you ran out of gas, but I'm sure you would have caught that one :P

that would make a ton of sense.

the car was hard to steer cuz it stalled, etc.

gas gauge prolly broke

[Robb01]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

its not out of gas, it was the voltgage it was reading about 10

[cam98aro]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

its not out of gas, it was the voltgage it was reading about 10

with the car started, or not?

mine says around 10 when the car isnt running and around 14 when it is running

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

It's a fueling problem. I'd bet on that. Perfect symptoms of a weak/dying fuel pump.

[Robb01]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

with the car started, or not?

mine says around 10 when the car isnt running and around 14 when it is running

with the car started before it died it read 10-11

the shop cant look at it until Wednesday. Is the fuel pump a costly repair?

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

Yeah, the pump assembly runs around $350-500. I was checking www.rockauto.com last night. Very labor intense job since they have to drop the exhaust to get to the fuel tank. Expect to spend $600 minimum.

[zerofailure]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

WOW, why am i the only one saying alternator.. his voltage was saying 10 while it was running right? his battery could still have some umph left in it to turn the engine.. you can hear the fuel pump prime when turning the key? check the fuel pressure if you can.

[cam98aro]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

WOW, why am i the only one saying alternator.. his voltage was saying 10 while it was running right? his battery could still have some umph left in it to turn the engine.. you can hear the fuel pump prime when turning the key? check the fuel pressure if you can.

if it were the alt, the battery would be dead, and the car wouldnt start then stall out

plus he never mentioned anything about the lights being dull

his volt gague was prolly low because of trying to start his car so many times

[triskit527]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

check to make sure you dont have an egr leak

[techsan23]

Re: I have a problem - No clue as to what it may be!

if the fuel filter hasnt been changed in a long time it wouldnt be a bad thing to try