2001 grand am problems on starting up. banged on gas tank and it started. So we had fuel lines flushed and then it would never start again. When you turn the key it sounds as though it is going to start but wont.

Possible fuel pump failure. Gasoline is used to cool and lubricate the in tank fuel pump. Running a vehicle out of fuel is not good for the pump. Try banging on the tank with your fist while someone cranks the vehicle over. If the vehicle starts or tries to start, suspect a fuel pump problem

Open gas cap and turn key forward and listen for the fuel pump hissing noise. If its not there the fuel pump is out. (OPTION) Take heavy object like a club or tire Iron and bang plastic fuel tank in the middle. Several blows will be required. The idea is to shock your fuel pump into working. If it works then get it to a repair shop because It most likely will die again.

fuel pumps can be nasty things but befor i payed out the cash for a new one i would check my ground wire on top of the gastank if its loose it can sputter, fail to work all together, had a chevy blazer that did that it would start when i banged on it cause it made the ground connect then after a lil bit it would stop, keep in mind this is real rare but happens with gm products check the crank shaft possition sensor as if it goes bad the fuel pump wont pump fuel the computer doesnt know to turn it on, those will come and go as well has a very simular appearance to a bad fuel pump, this sensor is located behind the pully on the front of the engine its the one at the bottom in center sadly got to remove that to get to it but shouldnt be to hard

Thanks for choosing FixYa and welcome. This sounds like your fuel pump is going out. Eventually, the banging on the tank will not work. Check any fuses or relays first. You should hear the pump turn on when you first turn the key. You should hear a humming sound for a second or two. Listen for it. If you get nothing, bang the tank and listen again. If you hear it afterwards, the pump is your issue. It may be a clogged fuel filter, so check that in case. I believe it is the pump though.

not good needs whole sysyem flushed and some stuff like injectirs might have to be replaced along with fuel pump

Sounds like a typical case of letting the car run dry out of fuel, you may want to try spraying starter fluid into the intake/air filter after allowing the key to be left on in the run position for a few seconds, this allows the fuel pump to fill the fuel lines with fuel, then try spraying a shot of start fliud if still no start you may have a more serious problem....fuel contamination...the bottom of the fuel tank may have sediment in it and when you let it go dry it pulled up the bad stuff and now it needs to be flushed.
New fuel filter, injector service, fuel tank drained/flushed and fuel lines drained.

perform a fuel pressure test. if its between 40 and 50 psi you should be fine. if not replace the fuel filter then the pump. replace the coolant temp sensor if the fuel pressure is good. happy holidays

I have a bad feeling that your fuel pump is gone or a wiring problem. the fuel filter if not on the outside then it's in the tank. Try to bang the tank when someone is cranking it over. If it starts you need a fuel pump

if its petrol engine bang bottom of fuel tank while some one else cranks vehicle over if it starts good just pump jammed if it dont buzz to life and you cant hear fuel pump buzzing ceck for power to it if thats there replace pump. running out of fuel kills electric fuel pumps internally in petrol tanks.

if its diesel you must bleed fuel system taking extreme care if you un do lines some very high pressure

Gas line filter may be dirty and clogged. Change it. There could be sediment or dirt in the tank that you drew up to the filter when you ran out of gas and it has built up and is blocking gas from getting into the engine.