Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

[MoSlevin]

I was driving to work today, when about a block away from my destination I hit a red light.

I stopped, and to my shock and dismay, my engine stalled, refusing to start again!

The only clue the car gave me was that the "check gauges" light came on. Fuel was good, temp was OK, and volts were about 12 with the engine off. I checked all of the hoses, wiring, and oil level manually - everything looked fine.

I had two kind people try to give me a boost but that didn't work either. Whenever I try to start it, I can hear it trying to crank over, like it's trying to start, but it never just starts up.

-Originally I was thinking a bad battery or alternator, but I would still be able to start if I got a boost in that case.
-Then I thought the security system might be a problem, but it doesn't look like anything different than usual is happening
-I was thinking starter, but it was still ticking away when I tried to start

At this point I've got it towed back to the nearest dealership, but I'm still trying to figure out what the problem could be...

My current theory is fuel pump - if it's trying to turn over but there's no fuel that might explain the sudden and untimely cutting-out of the engine... Any other theories?

[hockeyman]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

I'd say either the fuel pump or something in (or to do with) the coil packs.

[Meatyshells]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

fuel pump gets my vote

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

When you get to the car, try to turn it over.

Put the key to the "On" position, right before you would turn the key to turn the car on.

You should head a slight whine from the rear of the car, for maybe 2 seconds. This is your fuel pump.

I'm guessing if it's dead, you wont hear this whine.

[MoSlevin]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

Now that you mention it, I do remember the cabin being a little quieter than normal... save for my cussing.

BTW, it's a 2002 A4 with 40000mi on it. No problems with it, ever, save for the weird voltage regulator issue that half the people on the board seem to have.

Thanks for the help, I'll follow-up once I get it back from the evil dealership.

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

Fuel pumps are notorious for going out with out warning.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

i've got a fuel pump for sale if you want it ;)

[Rob Bell]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

I vote fuel pump. Mine went out at 49,022 miles, totally w/o warning. Just cruising down the road at 80mph and the next thing I know, I'm coasting to a stop.......in the middle of nowhere. It was $1100 to get that thing fixed.:rant:

I don't get what it is with these fuel pumps, I've got a 19 year old beater that has never had this problem. My last car went 293,000 miles and never had this problem. Can't GM make a decent fuel pump any more?

[flamingchicken]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

damn, $1100? HOLY CRAP!

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

if you buy a fuel pump yourself and do the trap door method for install, you can avoid that 1100 $ cost.

[Kleenax]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

wow sounds like the same problem I had , my bird would turn off randomly and sometimes wouldnt turn on, replaced the coil packs nothing turned out to be the fuel pump like everyone else said. Forget how much it costed me for the new pump but it was worth it.. kept the coil packs to thoe cause had 196k on the older ones and one was almost cracked in half

[Rob Bell]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

Yeah I would have done the trapdoor method, but when mine died I was 120 miles from home. If it dies again I'll do that, for sure. And I won't be putting in that POS stock pump either.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

Yeah I would have done the trapdoor method, but when mine died I was 120 miles from home. If it dies again I'll do that, for sure. And I won't be putting in that POS stock pump either.

I"m selling a Walhbro 255 ;)

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

Fuel pump.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Camaro stalled at intersection - won't start

I'll be doing the Walbro if it dies again.