the other day i was driving and it felt like it it wanted to stall on me . it didnt shut off but when i hit the gas it was sluggish then it picked up again. i tried to start it today and it would not start up. so what i did was threw a little gas in the throttle body or carb and then tried to start it . it did start for a few seconds then shut down again. so know i know am not getting any fuel to start up. then i read on the net guy had same problem and he banged the gas tank a few times while his wife cranked it and it started up. so i decided to give it a try and it did start up ? i let it run for a few thinking maybe bad gas ...shut it down and wont start again. banged it again started right up. so i dont really know about cars to much but what do you think could be the problem ? fuel pump ? relays ? any help would be more than great ...
1993 caravan 6 cyl.
76caraman
09-14-2008, 10:00 PM
same thing happened with my 95. It was the fuel pump.
scotto
09-15-2008, 08:33 AM
same thing happened with my 95. It was the fuel pump.
I agree, banging on the tank is just a way to get home or to the shop. It will only work a few times.
scotto
09-15-2008, 08:35 AM
Just to add, make sure that you change the gas filter. The pump should come with a new screen.
jemmusic
09-15-2008, 04:47 PM
i would like to change it my self . is it a really big job to do this ?
scotto
09-15-2008, 06:15 PM
i would like to change it my self . is it a really big job to do this ?
Done it many times and I don't consider it to be a big job. For someone who is new to repairing vehicles it might br a bit too much.
Pulling the tank out and back in is all the work. How much gas is in the tank now, be nice if that was all removed.
There is a plastic ring on the top of tank which holds the pump in place, that can be a ***** to remove. I use one of those tools that is a strap and a metal holder.
Always disconnect the battery.
jemmusic
09-15-2008, 06:50 PM
thanks i think i can do it ..theres a half tank in there now lol gotta get that out . my problem is this i did a search for a replacement pump and i see theres not just one type ? i look up the year and engine type but there are like 2 diffrent looking ones . asking to match vin code i have no clue what a vin code is ? now i dont wanna drop the tank and have the wrong pump. the pump ads also say i have to buy a harness for it ? cant i just plug and play this pump ...unplug the old one plug up the new one ? whe do i have to buy a harness..
vabear
09-15-2008, 07:26 PM
Not necessary to drop the tank to change the pump, i have done this on my back in my garage. I used a floor jack and a sheet of plywood (about 1/2" to 3/4" thick and maybe 2'X2', the plywood was to distribute the weight of the tank and give it a more stable platform,), I raised the rear of the car up on ramps (you could do the same thing by raising the rear end and supporting the axle on jack stands), and then using the floor jack and ply wood I put pressure on the tank, released the support strap bolts and slowly lowered the tank until I could get my hand on the fuel pump electrical connector and the plastic lock ring. I disconnected the electrical connector, and using a strap wrench released the lock ring until I could totally unscrew it by hand. Once the ring was off I pulled the pump out, disconnected the fuel filter lines (squeeze together clips), reconnected the filter lines, put pump in, replaced the lock ring, hooked up electrical connector, raised tank to the point I could put the strap bolts in, finished raising the tank and then finished tightening the strap support bolts. Just my .02 cents on shade tree way of doing the job.
dlm4ut
09-16-2008, 09:51 AM
One thing to add.
The area on top of the tank where the ring is can contain a lot of loose dirt. Before you take off the ring and remove the fuel pump you might blow away the loose dirt so it does not get into the tank.
dlm4ut
scotto
09-16-2008, 03:18 PM
Just to add;
Lowering the tank is dropping it to me anyway, not a biggie, but your VIN code(Vehicle Identification Number) is clearly displayed on your dashboard in front of the drivers seat. Easier to see from the outside of the van. Good luck.
jemmusic
09-16-2008, 03:23 PM
i found a pump on e bay new for 80.00 . i called local auto parts stores by me its almost 200 bucks. i notices some pumps are 3 pin and 5 pin . how do i know what i have ? mine is a 1993 caravan 3.3 liter v 6 fwd
also question for the pros...they also have just the pump (motor) by itself for 30.00 i guess i would have to use my old pumps parts to complete the new one . should i go this route or should i just get the whole pump already put together ? am just trying to save money anyway i can out of work at the moment.
jemmusic
02-11-2009, 12:41 AM
very late reply but i did replace the pump well actually the motor cause the pump i bought the connecter didnt match so i just used the motor . btw i went through the floor to get to the pump. was way to much trouble the other way . just cut a small hole in the floor and that did the job.
