1997 Chevrolet Lumina: fuel pump failure

Filed Jun 12, 2004 · Fuel system · VA

On june 8, 2004 my daugter informed me that she and her mom have been smelling a strong oder of gas in the car. When I checked the car I found large puddle of gas under the car. I moved the car and touched it, smelled it and it was gas, I looked under the car and found the gas tank was dripping. When I got home I checked and found a round rusted area about the size of dime. Because of its location, it appeared to be located right under the fuel pump. There was no visible exterior damage that could have caused this from the outside. Today, june june 12, 2004 I disconnected the fuel lines removed the tank and pumped the gas out and discovered that the fuel pump filter, which is located under the fuel pump, has caused the problem. It rusted where the brass filter screen has been rubbing on the tank.*ak the reason is that because of the design of the fuel pump, once the pump is dropped in the fuel tank the pump is held under spring pressure to the bottom of the tank. In time the changes in temperature, as well as fuel, sloshing in the tank has cause the filter to rub aganist the bottom of the tank and has damaged the special coating that g.m. Literature says the tank is covered with. Once this coating wore off, the tank began rusting and the brass fuel filter shows the discoloration from the electrolisis created by the contact with the steel tank. This is also a serious safety hazard, which can lead to an explosion. In fact my wife was glad yesterday that she was driving with our daughter in our conversion van when she was almost rear ended at a traffic light two days ago. She felt that the car could have exploded if she had been rear ended in this car. This is a serious safety problem that I think the federal safety agency should look into and have gm recall these vehicles and repair these defects please let me know is there is any safety recall addressing this problem.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Fuel system · 47,000 miles · NJ

Vehicle gas gauge suddenly stopped recording the gas level in the tank.*mr. The consumer stated the fuel pump and sender assembly had to be replaced at a cost of $524.28. *jb

Filed Apr 2, 2002 · Fuel system · NY

About four days before the actual shut down of the car, my daughter was coming home from school when she noticed the fuel gauge was fluctuating all over the place. We were going to have it checked asap, not thinking that it was a severe problem. Four days later, while driving on ridge road at about 40 MPH, the car shut down electrically, no brakes, no steering (power) and fought to get the car off the road. A chevy dealer nearby ran diagnostics (doan chevy ridge road) and determined a faulty fuel pump sending unit. My concern is I had no awareness of any problems on this vehicle and the what if she were on the expressway going 55mph? I believe this to be a serious situation. What can be done?

Filed Mar 20, 2002 · Fuel system · MA

Vehicle has a long crank cycle after warm up, these symptoms may be intermittent, consumer had computer upgraded, but condition still exists, dealer found the fuel pressure drops at the tank and recommended replacing fuel module/fuel pump assembly and the fuel filter.

Filed Aug 24, 2001 · Fuel system, Lights · GA · fire

Vehicle caught on fire while parked in the garage, the fire was so intense that the vehicle melted down to the frame, also consumers house burned down, it was determined by the fire investigators that the cause of the fire was started by the fuel pump and the daytime running lights.

Filed Jun 27, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · NM

Had alternator that was rebuild. Alternator went out while vehicle was going 70mph with A/C blowing. Also, 5-6 miles motor kept cutting on and off, finally stopping.. No electricity was getting to fuel pump. Once vehicle cut off pump and brakes no longer worked. Consumer had to use emergency brake to help stop vehicle.

Filed Apr 3, 2001 · Fuel system · CA

Vehicle stalled without prior warning while driving 65 MPH, fuel pump failed. This has happened 3 times. Pump was under warranty for 12 months and lasted 13 months. *ak

Filed Feb 16, 2001 · Fuel system · GA · fire

We need assistants - my '97 lumina caught on fire and burned down our house on 10/29/00. We lost the car, which melted down to the frame, the house and contents. We would have lost our lives if this had occurred two hours later. It has been determined by the athens clarke county fire investigator and the cotton states investigator that the fuel pump and daylight runners caused this fire. This defect in my vehcile is a life saftey issue - who will be the next victms? Please contact me asap.

Filed Aug 11, 2000 · Engine · OH

The car cuts out, has a miss or hesitation that has not been detected on machinery.the engine was replaced, the fuel pump replaced, I was told not to use bp or super america gas, no higher than 87 octane and I have done everything religiously.the dealer has had the car on multiple occasions & admits a problem.I became so frustrated that I filed a complaint with the ohio attorney general's office.automobile complaints are outsourced and "autocap" has been working to resolve the problem.however, after a year I remain frustrated.I have narrowly escaped at least two accidents because of this hesitation & then pressing the gas & taking off with a vengence.this car is definately an unsafe vehicle but I have come accustomed to driving it as I have no alternative.however, my youngest son just received his driving permit & I am scared to death to let him drive this car.the dealer installed a computer at one time which recorded 3 incidents of the problem.however, upon retrieving the data, the dealer claims there was data.they also report problems with the computers & quite frankly I don't believe they know how to use them.at one point the dealer offered to take this vehicle off my hands & put me in either another '97 for an additional $1000 or a new car for $349/mo.due to credit problems (a long story but I've worked 2 jobs for the past 11 years after a plant closing where my husband & I became displaced workers.we survived on my credit cards as my husband had problems emotionally & mentally dealing with being unable to provide for his family.he made less than $2000 several years & I became the sole provider.I wouldn't call living in a $60,000 home living lavishly so you can see we didn't get extravagent!)I cannot get a loan.however, I am working to repay my debts & rebuild my credit.the constant worry of driving an unsafe vehicle is driving me insane.any assistance you may provide would be greatly appreciated.thank you for your time.

Filed Dec 6, 1996 · Fuel system · DE

There is a whistling noise coming from the fuel pump while the vehicle is running.