After gasing...car won't hold a start

[VibeInTx]

When I was gassing up today, a "pop" sound came from the direction of the gas tank. I thought it was the pump shutting off, but the gas still flowed. The engine was running while I was filling up, which I suspect was the root of my problem.Now, the car cranks, but will not hold the start. If i put my foot on the gas, I can keep the engine going, but as soon as I let go, the RPMs dive down to zero, and the engine is dead. I have tried disconnecting the battery for a bit to reset the ECU, but the problem still exists. Any ideas?thanks

[millster]

Almost sounds like a problem with the fuel pump. I'll spare you the big lecture on filling up while running, but just say you're lucky that the pop you heard wasn't a big boom. Does the car seem to require more cranking to start than it did before?

[pmh013]

Have you tried re-setting the fuel pump? Just taking a total stab at it, but it's worth a try. I think there should be instructions in the owner's manual.

[VibeInTx]

I didn't see anything about that in the regular owner's manual. I tried reseting the ECU, that's it.

[VibeInTx]

I think the fuel pump reset is a good idea...does anyone know how to do this on the vibe? Please help, my car ain't runnin!

[joatmon]

Didn't see anything about fuel pump reset anywhere. What is a fuel pump reset supposed to do?You could try relieving the fuel pressure. To do this unscrew the gas cap and pull the fuel system "circuit opening relay" , and then start the engine and let it run until it stalls, then crank the engine for about another 3 seconds to bleed off any pressure. The relay is on the top of the inside fuse block. If you yank out the storage bin to the left of the steering column, (below the mirror controls) you can see the top of the inside fuse block. There will be three box relays that are identical adjacent and in a line, the fuel system relay is supposed to be the one closest to the rear of the car. This is supposed to bleed off the pressure in the fuel system, which could be as much as 50 psi. Then put the relay back in, screw on the gas cap and see if it will start upThere's a pressure regulator in the assembly that is the fuel pump, fuel filter, gauge sending unit, etc inside the gas tank accessible under the rear seat. If you go to do any work on the fuel system, you should relieve the pressure on the lines to keep 50psi gasoline from shooting out..Are you still under warranty? If so you can play dumb and call 800ROADSID and they are supposed to come get it and fix it for free.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by millster »I'll spare you the big lecture on filling up while running, but just say you're lucky that the pop you heard wasn't a big boom.I concur!Don't fuel up with the engine running!

[VibeInTx]

Problem solved.FYI, apparently, a vacuum hose under the right ride of the engine got disconnected. 1-800roadsid towed it, and it was taken care of under warranty. Thanks for everyone's help, and I will not be filling my car with the engine running again...

[joatmon]

Glad you're back on the road Did they give you any indication (or do you know) why the vaccuum hose came off? Do you think it happened because you were filling up wiht the engine running, or was it just coincidence?

[millster]

Well, good to hear it's solved.

[VibeInTx]

No, they were very non-challant about it. I hate Pontiac service to the point where I only go near the place if I need a warranty repair. My theory is that the sound I heard was a backfire, and the pressue caused the hose to pop out. The guy at the service place said that most cars have clips that hold the hoses on, but this car does not. When they re-attached the hose, they put a clip on.

[Stang2Vibe]

I agree that they should have a clip on the vacuum lines from the factory. When the engine is running with the gas cap off (or not tightened properly) the check engine light should come on. It causes a problem with fuel pressure going to the engine. They pressurize the fuel tank slightly to recover any fuel vapors in the tank for environmental and fuel economy reasons. Your backfire theory may be completely right, but it was probably initiated by the drop in the fuel pressure and the computer's attempts to compensate for it. I'm pretty sure that it tells you somewhere in the owner'd manual to shut the car off when refueling.