first off, full disclosure: my "maint. req'd" has been on for a while and yesterday the CEL and VSC lights came on. I'm in this car only occasionally, mostly on a Saturday or Sunday at our summer house. Anyhow, took it to the beach no problem, then to the supermarket. Leaving the supermarket it wouldn't start, turning and turning but not catching. To my layman's ears it sounded like bad gas or no gas. Luckily, a mechanic was two cars over and he gave me some troubleshooting steps, turning it on and off several times before trying to start it. He even got under the car and banged on the fuel pump. It sounded like it might start but still wouldn't after 6-7 tries, and the friendly mechanic says I need a fuel pump for $600-$700. Called a friend to come and get us, then tried one more time and lo and behold it started. I was happy to get it to the house, a much better place to be waiting for AAA. Now this morning I turn the key and it starts right up, sounding good.

Would you say I'd be nuts to try and drive it to the beach today and expect it to make it back.

 

What is the CEL code?

 

I didn't have a chance to read the code; maybe on the holiday....

 

Not sure how he banged on a fuel pump from underneath the car, with it being located inside the tank and accessed from the car inside, under the rear seat.

 

Well, he was under the back seat, FWIW....Update: I had a friend take it to a local mechanic and it overheated on the way, about a 15 minute drive. Mechanic told me the radiator was cracked and the CEL codes were "heat-related", whatever that means (I never saw it run hot). Also it desperately needed an oil change. The fuel pump never came up. Fingers crossed and stay tuned....

 

to me; it does sound like it could very well be fuel pump and or fuel system related. Sound like it needs to have the fuel system thoroughly cleaned and possibly could need a new fuel pump.

 

Just reread the initial post.

Seems like I mixed ig up with another person who changed Pwr Strg pump.

Is the Motor turning when you turn key to START?

If not, are lights dimming when you turn key to START?

Sometimes the jargon confuses Crank Turn Over Run. I use crank and Tuen over for the starter turning the motor amd RUN when the motor turns without holding the key on START😁

The terms may mean different things to didferent people. Oh and there is TUMBLE..same as crank with the starter..4me😁

 

Error. Wrong post.