How To Diagnose A No-Start Problem (1992-1993 3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am)

STEP 2: Testing The Fuel Pump's Pressure

If the ignition system is supplying spark to all six cylinders, then you can eliminate the ignition system as the cause of the no-start problem.

The next step now is to make sure that the engine is receiving fuel. And this means doing a fuel pump pressure test with a fuel pump pressure test gauge.

There are quite a few ways to test the fuel pump, but the most accurate way of doing so is with a fuel pressure test gauge.

This fuel pressure test gauge is connected to the fuel system with an adapter. This adapter is connected between the fuel injector rail and the fuel pressure line.

The fuel pump pressure specification for the 1992-1993 3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am is:

• 40-47 PSI Key On With Engine Off.
• With Key On Engine Running, fuel pressure should drop 3 to 10 PSI.

You can find the fuel pump pressure test explained in detail here: How To Test The Fuel Pump (3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am).

The fuel system is NOT causing the no-start problem if:

• Fuel pressure is within the 40 to 47 PSI range.

If the fuel pressure gauge registers the indicated fuel pressure specification, then you can confidently conclude that the fuel pump is working and delivering enough fuel to the fuel injectors.

You can correctly conclude the fuel pump is OK and not behind the engine's no-start problem.

The next step is to check for a blown head gasket. Go to: STEP 3: Checking For A Blown Head Gasket.

The fuel system IS THE CAUSE of the no-start problem if:

• Fuel pressure is 0 PSI (or anything below the fuel pressure specification).

This confirms that the no-start problem is caused by a lack of fuel. This usually means that the fuel pump is bad and needs to be replaced.

STEP 3: Checking For A Blown Head Gasket

Blown head gasket issues can cause the engine in your Pontiac Grand Am to crank but not start.

Since the 3.3L engine in your Grand Am is a V6 engine, it comes equipped with two head gaskets.

There are 4 specific tests to check for a blown head gasket and you can find them explained in this tutorial:

• How To Test A Blown Head Gasket (3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am).

A blown head gasket is NOT causing the no-start problem if:

• The engine oil has a normal color (in other words, it doesn't have a milky-white color).
• The coolant in the radiator remains undisturbed when cranking the engine (with the radiator open).
• The engine passed a block test.

Your next test is to check the engine's compression. Go to: STEP 4: Making Sure The Engine Has Good Compression.

A blown head gasket IS THE CAUSE of the no-start problem if:

• The engine oil has a milky-white color (like coffee with too much creamer).
• - or -
• The coolant in the radiator shot out when cranking the engine (with the radiator open).
• - or -
• The engine failed a block test.

STEP 4: Making Sure The Engine Has Good Compression

One of the most overlooked causes of a no-start problem is an engine compression problem.

Specifically, more than two cylinders have a compression problem that is keeping the engine from starting.

A compression test is usually performed after:

1. The ignition system has been tested.
2. Fuel pump pressure has been tested.
3. A blown head gasket has been eliminated as a reason for the no-start problem.

I've written a detailed ‘how to test the engine compression’ tutorial, and you can find it here:

• How To Test Engine Compression Test (3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am).

An engine compression problem is NOT causing the no-start problem if:

• The compression of each cylinder is above 120 PSI.

An engine compression problem IS THE CAUSE of the no-start problem if:

• 2 or more cylinders have 0 PSI compression.
• - or -
• All cylinders have 0 PSI compression.

No-Start Troubleshooting Summary

The most important thing to remember when diagnosing an engine no-start problem, is that the engine needs 3 things to be able to start.

These 3 things are:

• Spark.
• Fuel.
• Air (compression).

When the engine does not start, it's because one of these is missing from the mix.

Therefore, testing an engine no-start problem literally boils down to a process of elimination.

Once you've confirmed that you've got spark at all cylinders, there isn't any need to spend time testing the ignition system. The next step is to make sure the fuel pump is working and so on and so on.

By checking these basic things (spark, fuel, air), you'll save yourself the frustration of replacing components that won't solve the problem.

More 3.3L Pontiac Grand Am Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 3.3L Pontiac Grand Am tutorials in this index:

• GM 3.3L Index Of Articles.

Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test Engine Compression Test (3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am).
• How To Test A Blown Head Gasket (3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am).
• How To Test The MAF Sensor (3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am).
• What Does A MAF Sensor Do? (3.3L V6 Pontiac Grand Am).