Um, Saturns are known for failing fuel pumps(among other things).

I've replaced two of them (one on each of my 97 SL2s) - it isn't a hard job,
but it is messy.

A real pain if you don't have a lift - getting the back end of the car high
enough is a real challenge!

"Philip Nasadowski" > wrote in message
...
> In article
> outautos.com>,
> "katastrophe" > wrote:
> > Other people I've talked to today said the same thing you did,
> > fuel pump - is it a difficult job to do yourself?
>
> It's not *impossible*, but, realize, you're working with your gas tank.
> You really don't wanna screw that up, or *boom*.
>
> I'd go for the obovious, first, though. Read the trouble codes, then
> have the pressure at the rail checked. It might be a filter, and that's
> easy to replace. Of course, it could be the regulator, too, and that's
> cheap too.
>
> Rule out the cheap stuff first. AFAIK, Saturns aren't prone to blowing
> up their fuel pumps.
>
> (Don't discount the relay for it, too).
>
> Easy way to test if the pump is at least working sometimes is to get in
> the car in a quiet area, turn the key on, and listen for a little whine
> and click noise. Turn the key off, then turn it on a few seconds later.
> If the pump at least works, you'll hear that noise. i don't recall if
> the FP relay is the same as any others, but if it is, swap it with
> another and see if the problem moved with the relay (i.e., the pump's
> fine but the system you stole the relay from is busted now)
>
> You said it was running while you waited. I'm trying to think of a
> failure mode where a pump gives you low pressure, but enough to idle.
> Unlike a carb, EFI needs the pressure more or less all the time.
>
> Years ago, my dad's Vega had it's filter clog. It'd run ok at low
> speeds, but have no power and not be able to climb hills. Went around
> in circles for a while while we searched for that...