Pontiac Repair: 92 pontiac bonneville fuel pump going?, fuel level sensor, pontiac bonneville

Question
How do you know if the fuel pump is going?  I have a 1992 pontiac bonneville.  It has been running beautifully until I ran out of gas a few days ago.  Now occasionally the low fuel signal comes on even though have more than 1/2 tank of gas, it feels like it wants to conk out at times.  It has actually conked out while driving slowly after the signal came on.  Is this as serious as a fuel pump or could a simple fuel filter change do the trick?  I just don't want a mechanic to take advantage of me, so thought I would ask for opinions first.  Thanks, Tina

Answer
Hi Tina:

well it could be something else other than a fuel pump but I doubt it. The pump may be going bad I have seen on occasions that running them plumb out of gas damages them but not that often. I would highly suggest a filter change reguardless. No one ever changes them untill it too late anyways. They plug up and make the pump work to hard. A pump on that car is not to terribly expensive but the labor is. You would have a technician do a fuel pump pressure test on it before I condem it. If the pump is indeed bad then while you in ther I would suggest a fuel level sensor/sender assembly as well that is an expensive part!!! Good luck.