Pontiac Repair: Pontiac Grand Am Problems, pontiac grand am, weird noise

Question
Hi Todd,
My 1999 Pontiac Grand Am recently started to shut off while i'm driving it. Sometimes it works for an hour or so before doing it and sometimes I can barely get it in gear before it shuts off. When it shuts off all my lights and radio are still on, but my power steering and brakes aren't. When it shuts off I have to wait a minute and restart it. It usually restarts right away but if I don't let it sit long enough after restarting it it will turn off again as soon as I put it in gear. Right around the time it started turning off my car also started to make a weird noise as well. When I accelerate it sounds like a muffler from a motorcycle. I'm stumped. (My check engine light has been on for some time now and my brake lights haven't worked forever, but I don't believe that has anything to do with it)  

Answer
HI Marissa:


My guess is that you have a fuel pump issue going on here. That year was noted for pump failures. That would also explain the increased noise also. if it sounds like it's from the rear that is what the noise is from the fuel pump going bad.. Also have the fuel filter replaced as well.