2001 cranking, not starting -- have read up on common causes

[pkguy]

Hi. Newbie, here. '01 3.1 cranks but won't fire; no sound from fuel pump; theft light goes off after 5 secs with key "on." Was working fine until this happened out of the blue.

I am going to replace the fuel pump relay first. If that fails, I will then have it towed to the dealer because of the possibility of the pass key thing.

I heard that this problem may be beyond the scope of my corner gas station guy. Is going to the the dealer overkill? ($$$)

It is currently in a WalMart parking lot and I can't do too much to it there.

Can I replace the Crank Sensor easily? Where is that and could it help?

Speedy replies are appreciated since this is going to be my tomorrow morning project.

[RalphP]

"cranks but won't fire; no sound from fuel pump"

If it's not the relay (which I never had to replace), I'd bet the fuel pump (I was a frequent flyer on fuel pumps until I finally said "Enough is ENOUGH!" and paid for the premium ACDelco replacement ... )

I wouldn't worry about the passkey thing if the theft light goes out after 5 seconds. Until you've eliminated everything else, anyway.

And yes, you could, how easily is a different question. Again, until you get the fuel pump running, I wouldn't worry about that.

RwP

[pkguy]

Thanks, Ralph.

I will keep updating until it is resolved.

The corner garage is within pushable range if we do it at night without all the parking lot and street traffic.

[pkguy]

As I looked at the relay, there are 5 other one that are identical within that fuse box;
so I swapped the fuel pump one with the AC one and it still didn't start.

The likelyhood of both relays going out is very slim, so looks like a push to the corner garage and then a fuel pump is my Christmas gift to "Bu." (that's what my daughter calls "her" car)

[RalphP]

Before just replacing the pump, be sure to check and make sure it's getting voltage.

That's a lot easier with it up on the rack, natch, but it's also worth pointing out that there's other flaws that can cause the pump to not work. Odds are the pump has become an ex-pump - it's pining for the fjords - it's no longer with us - any and all else of that Monty Python skit applies *grins*

RwP

[DrivenDaily]

I pine to be in the forest.

I wished upon a star and all I got was sunglasses.

I pinned my hopes on a horse but its ears were too long.

Ain't double entendres great?

[pkguy]

Well, picked up the car from the garage: fuel pump was bad.

Got the Delphi one per Ralph's suggestion: $370 for the part.

+fuel filter and labor = $570

End of saga.