Saturn Repair: saturn wont start SL2 2001, half tank, fuel gauge

Question
Hi,
I have an SL2 (2001) with 230K and yesterday as i was coming off the highway to the lights i felt a "poof" and then the car stalled and wont start again. I think it's maybe the fuel pump? There is a half tank of gas but the fuel gauge is reading empty. I have checked all the fuses, all seem fine, and i switched out all of the relays with all the other compatible ones. If it is the fuel pump could you help me out with a few things, like location, and best way about going about the removal. I have read a few things that say the fuel pumps rarely go, but i have also read something that says some rubber plunger thing can get stuck. If you could PLEASE help me out I'd appreciate it, thanks.
ALex

Answer
Hey Alex

The funny thing is I just replaced a fuel pump in an s series not more than 3 days ago..........and with that milage I'm sure it has seen better days........

to get to your pump, you have to drop the fuel tank.....it's not really hard to do but if you don't have a lift (like I have at work)...then it can be tricky.

but here are the basics, jack up the car and locate the tank.......while laying on your back look to your right, you'll see the plastic fuel lines, disconnect those, you have to push in the line then squeeze the little tabbs on the lines and then pull(carefull not to breake them). disconnect your filler neck (open your fuel door and pull out the rubber that surrounds the filler hole) on the top of the filler hole you'll see a bolt,you'll need a torex bit to take it out. next remove the wheel well surrounding your tire......unplug your vent solenoid........trace the tube down under the car and you'll find another bolt holding the tube to the under part of the car....take that out (if it breaks it's ok,,it just stops the tube from rattling)......next trace the rest of the tube to the tank, you'll see 2 clamps take off the clamp closest to the tank......while your doing that you'll see the straps that hold the tank up........you'll see the bolts....spray the crap out of them with P.B BLAST........OR W D 40 that way the should come out easier.  unbolt those and slowly drop the tank.......don't let it come down all the way, you first have to unplug 2 wires on top the tank before you let the tank come all the way out........once you do that set the tank down get a screwdrive and hamer and hit the lock ring so it turns off and then pull out the pump(do it easy cause your fuel level sensor is on it and you have to tilt it so it comes out.

If you have anymore questions....give me a yell

ERIC

P.S. that was alot of typing lol