2002 Grand Am- replaced fuel pump twice as it was not coming on when turning on key. Hit bottom of tank and pump starts. Not thinking pump the issue after third one. Runs great but will die while driving, or just won't start. Hit tank and it fires right up. Is there a design flaw or installation trick on the pump?

although rare it is possible to destroy the fuel pump by running tank to m/t , a quick check to see if this is the case is to sit in car with door open , hold your foot on door jam switch (stops chime) and turn key to run (not start) once or twice in a row , if your pump is still working , you will hear fuel injectors prime , (elect motor runs for three seconds ) you may have to listen carefully and repeat test several times to hear it (quiet place helps !!) if you don't hear the pump prime !! and you ck/replaced the fuel pump fuse already , it will need replaced (its inside fuel tank !!)

It sounds exactly like the fuel pump. Are you positive you're getting spark at the plugs? If so change the fuel pump. Good Luck!

When they sputter it is mostly the fuel pump. One way to check is hit the bottom of the tank in the center. The vibration will jar the pump and most times they will start pumping again. This is not a fix, you still have to replace the pump. This is just an easy way to make sure your changing the right part.

Hi. Begin by changing the fuel filter. IT sounds like it just isn't getting enough fuel. Joe

Thanks for choosing Fixya!

i would start by getting somebody to cycle the key on and off while you listen to hear if the fuel pump is turning on or not. (when the key is turned on the fuel pump will turn on and you should hear it start up and then turn off.) if you can hear the fuel pump come on then i would check to see if the fuel filter is plugged. if you cannot hear the fuel pump you should check your fuses. if all the fuses are good then get a rubber mallot and bang on the bottom of the gas tank. the vibrations usually will get a fuel pump to start up again and your car should start up.(if it fires up after banging on the gas tank, you will need to replace the fuel pump. the banging on the gas tank only works a couple of times. enough to get you home or to a shop to replace.)

The fuelpump is located inside the gas tank, you will need to drop the tank to replace the pump, heres a picture of the pump and in goes in through the top of the tank, the fuelpump is called a fuelpump module because it comes complete with holder sending unit and all other parts as you will see in the picture,hope this helps, good luck.

using a test light have someone turn key on and crank whike you test for power at the pump, a trick that sometimes works is to have someone crank while you bang on bottom center of the tank this sometimes shakes pump into running again if the car starts then replace the pump. hope this helps.

can you hear the fuel pump kick on when you turn key?(have an assitant turn key and listen for a buzz near the fuel tank) i think you have to take the fuel tank out to fix it.

sounds like fuel pump quit. It is electric and is in gas tank.
Have someone turn key on while you listen real good at fuel tank area. It shold buzz for 2 seconds & stop. If no buzz, hit bottom of tank with a rubber mallot or something similar. Try to see if pump runs now. If yes, debris getting stcuk or startting to fail.

So you have power there, why not try a little whap with rubber hammer near it while key on to see if it will do anything. I;d try it just to see if it will come back to life.