How To Test The Fuel Pump (1989-1993 3.3L V6 Buick, Oldsmobile)

Using Starting Fluid

Using starting fluid, to confirm a lack of fuel causing a no-start problem, hails back to the days when cars had carburators.

Although it's not the most accurate way to troubleshoot a failed fuel pump in a fuel-injected vehicle, it will let you know if the no-start problem is due to a lack of fuel.

IMPORTANT: To get the most accurate test result from the starting fluid test, you need to make sure that all spark plug wires are sparking before starting the test. Test all 6 spark plug wires for spark with a dedicated spark tester if you haven't already.

OK, this is what you'll need to do:

1. 1

   Remove the intake air duct from the throttle body.
   
   You don't have to completely remove it, since you'll have to reconnect it in one of the next steps.

2. 2

   Open the throttle manually, and spray starting fluid down the bore.
   
   When you have sprayed a good squirt of starting fluid, quickly reconnect the air duct to the throttle body (you don't have to tighten the hose clamp).
   
   Reconnecting the intake air duct is a very important safety precaution in case you get a back-fire thru' the intake manifold.

3. 3

   Crank the engine once the intake air duct is back on the throttle body.

4. 4

   You'll get one of two results with this test:
   
   1.) The engine will start momentarily and after a few seconds will die.
   
   2.) The engine will only crank but not start at all.

OK, let's find out what your results mean:

CASE 1: The engine started and ran for a few seconds. This means that the reason your car is not starting is due to a lack of fuel.

I suggest that your next step be to test the fuel pump's fuel pressure with a test gauge. For this test go to: Using A Fuel Pump Pressure Tester To Test The Fuel Pump.

CASE 2: The engine did not start, not even momentarily. This usually means that a lack of fuel IS NOT the reason your car is not starting.

Now, remember what I said about this test not being very accurate? Well, I suggest you do one more test and this is to test the fuel pump's fuel pressure with a test gauge. For this test go to: Using A Fuel Pump Pressure Tester To Test The Fuel Pump.

More 3.3L V6 Buick, Oldsmobile Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 3.3L V6 Buick (Oldsmobile) tutorials in this index:

• GM 3.3L Index Of Articles.

Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test Engine Compression Test (3.3L V6 Buick, Oldsmobile).
• How To Test A Blown Head Gasket (3.3L V6 Buick, Oldsmobile).
• How To Test The MAF Sensor (3.3L V6 Buick, Oldsmobile).
• What Does A MAF Sensor Do? (3.3L V6 Buick, Oldsmobile).