Swapped the fuse with the identical one next to it... and the car started right up!

Thanks for pointing out this rather obvious thing that I managed to overlook in my state of panic. That's why I love this forum!

I am SO GLAD I won't have to fight that locking ring off to get the fuel pump out ...

Have not checked anything else yet -- I guess it wouldn't be hard to swap out the fuel pump fuse and see if that makes any difference, before doing anything else. I have a voltmeter, but don't know which pins to check to see if I'm getting power or not. I can research this, if nobody can tell me off ...

I guess I'll take the pump back to the salvage place and ask to swap for a direct-fit one.

Next question: I want to determine that the old pump is actually the problem. My current one does nothing when I turn the key to "ON." I'm thinking of leaving the old pump in place, disconnecting the two ...

Cranks just fine, won't start. Fuel pump appears to be out -- I listen after putting key into "ON" position, and it shows no signs of life. I seem to recall that in the past I could hear it activate, pressurizing the system. Also, I removed the cap on the fuel rail and pressed on the pressure relief ...

Thanks for the air tube tip -- will check when replacing my air filters.

As for the fittings; these cars were made with "maintenance free" non-servicible tie rods, knuckles, spindles, etc. I'm not sure what those plastic things are that you are seeing, but to my knowledge there are no zerk fittings ...

These battery tricks are not a cure to the original problem, however. These gas cap warnings come in response to intermittent problems. Depending upon ambient temperature and humidity, they come and go over time. Erasing the code will turn the light off, but eventually the problem will re-occur and ...

Most of those gas door locks are shot. Neither of my two Bonne's had one that worked, and it never affected anything (unless you live in a high-crime area and worry about gas theft?).

Ken

This is a common problem, and can be caused by one or more of several factors:

1) Bad seal between gas cap and filler neck, caused by corrosion on filler neck or old rubber on gas cap. To rule this out, sand the corrosion on the filler neck (if you see some) with a piece of sandpaper held over a ...

I had my SSEi windshield replaced six months ago for $380 at a small auto glass shop (included parts and labor). I got the good Pittsburgh (PGW) glass and the "good" seal (apparently there is a cheaper one).

I think $500+ is outrageous -- continue to shop around! I've had good luck going to the ...

Interesting... Too early to say, but interested.

Ken_W

I put a Dorman in and had no problems. I put a cheapie in on my previous 2000 SLE and also had no problems. The motors are a little slower (that's probably who so cheap) but you can easily swap your OEM motor onto the new regulator before installing it.

Ken_W

Thanks Haro -- I'll put the good-fitting new cap on and see if I still lose coolant. You may be right about there being a leak, but I want to rule this out first.

Ken_W

My vented coolant reservoir cap has never quite fit right. As a result, coolant keeps evaporating, and every other week I have to top it off.

The only cap I find at parts stores is a Dorman unvented cap. I bought one and it fits great. Now I'm wondering if my first cap is original or not. Maybe a ...

You might be seeing rim corrosion, which is common as the rims age. Sometimes it occurs where the rubber meets the rim, causing slow air leaks. When this happens you have to have it ground off with a wire brush when the tire is off the rim (most tire shops will know how to do this).

It sure would ...

This is a common thing with these cars; it has to do with the tuning of the transmission and when the car is programmed to shift from 4th to 3rd gear under load (such as when driving up a gentle hill -- a steep hill would trigger the shift). To save gas, the car stays in 4th a little too long, and ...

I've been running DEX VI for past two years in my SSEI with no issues.

I do what imadozol does to get 75% fluid change. Use this $10 hand pump, available at almost any place that sells auto parts (pump comes under various brand names, but they are all the same):

http://ecx.images-amazon.com ...

Note to readers -- poster is referring to the long, skinny black toe link and not the the large silver V-shaped control arm. Some places call them both control arms, which fuels confusion.

There is no pre-load or anything like that needed, but you will want to support the large silver V-shaped ...

I've noticed that this code comes and goes on its own. It seems to have something to do with the weather (or simply outside temperature). My son's 1999 Grand Am is the same way. Just when I decide to do something about it -- poof! It's gone. Both cars seem to have the problem around the same time ...

The jerking when going uphill is common on SSEi's and there isn't a "common" easy cure. Most of us just live with it. Tap the gas pedal when this happens and it will shift to another gear, and the jerking will stop.

Don't know what to suggest about the other issues; I'm wondering if your MAF sensor ...

I know what you mean... my 2000 SSEi feels "loose" all over, even though I've replaced most of the mechanical parts. I've been told by a couple mechanics that the large "body mount" bushings are ready for replacement. There's six in the front and four in the rear. It's kind of a big job, so I've ...