Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Location Of Fuel Pump, gauge needle, fuel gauge

Question
Hello,
   I have a 1991 Buick Regal 3.1 . yesterday my car died while cruzing dowm the road. it sputtered a bit then died. The engine will turn but it just wont start. i dont know much about cars but when i was poking around trying to figure it out i had my brother turn the car on and turn the 4-ways on and i did not here the fuel pump come on, i got under the car and made him do it agian and nothing. so im asuming its the fuel pump that needs replaced. Does that sound right to you? also if it is, were is the fuel pump located? thank you for your help.

Answer
Hello Rick,
You are correct in so far as you should hear the pump running, but don't quite yet buy a pump.
There is a fuse for the pump, and a relay to operate the pump. They both need checked first, and i would also make sure there is spark at the plug wires.
If there is spark, and the fuel pump fuse is good, and the relay is operating, there should be battery voltage at the pump connection.
The pump is inside the tank, and you can get to the wire connection on the front side of the tank.
It will have three wires, one of which is the fuel gauge sener wire.
If you gheck that wire with the key on, the gauge needle should move.
If you check the pump wire, you should get battery voltage, but just for about three seconds, since it shuts off if the engine isn't cranking over.
If someone is sitting there cranking the engine, that wire should have voltage for as long as she is cranking over, plus about two seconds after she quits cranking.

You might try smacking the bottom of the tank as hard as you can with your hand just as someone turns the key to run. That will sometimes start a pump, but if it does, you will be working on it soon anyway.
The pump is inside the tank, and I believe you will need to remove the tank from the car.

Van