galeblanc

I'm a *******. I tried chaning my fuel filter and it didn't work out so I kept the old one in. I re-connected everything and now my car doesn't start anymore.

I'm parked in a slight hill where the front of my car is a little higher. Is this a problem?

Any other suggestions?

Thank you.

outtamymind

possibly. will it crank at all. did you possibly leave something unhooked i would double check all your connections again just to be sure.

Aleckor

Did you take the fuel pump fuse out? Remember to put it back in? Securely?

What exactly was wrong with the new one? Same problem you're now having with the old one? If so, put the new one back on... your old filter is probably crap anyways.

Try leveling the car so the front isn't higher anymore, if that doesn't work just start over... unhook everything, make sure there's nothing clogging the way, and secure it all again.
-Aleckor

CleanNFun

ZOMG this happened to me!!! I took my fuel pump relay out, and ran the car till it died, so it wouldn't be full of gas. Well when I went to start it, i let it build up pressure, waited like 10 seconds with the key on, then tried to start it and it didn't start. After dicking around with it, I switched my ac relay with my fuel pump relay, and the car started right up. So I stuck the fuel pump relay in my ac slot and the ac still works. Who knows, maybe you should try it

galeblanc

Thank for all the suggestions!!

I'm a real *******, the relay was in the wrong place. I had to move it one notch over.

Now the only problem, is that the check engine light is on. Is this a major issue?

Thanks as usual!!!

D4u2s0t

what do you mean by "it wasn't working out". and get the code scanned, no one can tell you if it's bad or not without knowing what the code is.

CleanNFun

I haven't seen a cel tell me a good thing :P

Turbo06Sedan

The only one i giggle at is when i get it saying that my MAF is pinged (overloaded).

Thats when you know your hardcore.

D4u2s0t

where did i say it would be "good"? way to fail at picking apart a post.

suppose it's a p0171 code. maybe he has a catless downpipe and is getting a code for that. is that a bad thing, or a major issue? it could be totally unrelated to the fuel filter. if you fart too loud a cobalt can throw a code. doesn't necesarily mean it's bad, or a major problem. in fact there's MANY codes that are not a big deal at all. you can get a code from not screwing on your gas cap properly.

i'd almost be willing to bet money that the code is related to the fuel pump, since he tried starting the car with the relay in the wrong spot. so the car probably though the pump was bad since it didn't do anything.

rukkee

iTrader: (3)

Your not the first to do that , and wont be the last lol

That would be my bet as well.

galeblanc

Yeah, the CEL is cause I started the car without the fuel pump relay to get the fuel out of the lines. I read in another post that this can cause 8-9 different CEL's relate to fuel pressure.

A friend recommended I try disconnecting the battery and see if it clears it. Do you think it will?

The reason my fuel filter thing didn't work out is cause i couldn't get the line off where i need to use the diconnect tool. I was susing the 3/8 tool but maybe i wasn't using it properly. How exactly do you have to use this tool? You push real hard or what ?? Do you turn??

Thanks so much for all the help. My car is working good now. Other than the fact that it doesn't have a new filter and the CEL.

highrider43

i just changed my fuel filter this weekend and the 3/8 tool didn't work worth a **** to be honest.....just wouldn't push in to release the fitting.......so i made my own tool......and i made it out of a water bottle lid....lol..........worked like a charm, just lucky i guess.. Almost seemed like the 3/8 was too small to work, so i almost think its metric but there are no metric fuel disconnect tools. No cel's on my car, but i was smart enough to just pull the fuel pump fuse...lol....anyway just my 2 cents........Later

rrutter81

The fuse for the pump needs to be at the bottom (closest to the bumper) Otherwise your hosed if you use the top half (toward the back)

D4u2s0t

it's either a 3/8" or 5/16" tool. you shouldn't have to push that hard, it should go in pretty easy. it's not hard to tell if it's too big, if it doesn't fit in it's too big :

once you push it in, you have to pull the line out though, depending on how long it's been since it's been pulled out you may have to give a nice yank.

rukkee

iTrader: (3)

There is a good chance it will , i left a plug undone when i changed my oil one day . Ended up with a CEL , disconnected the battery and was good to go. Good luck , hope it works out for you .

galeblanc

I'll give it another shot next weekend. I'll use the correct disconnect tool (the grey one). I tried all of the tools i think, but maybe i wasn't doing it right. With the tips here on this thread, I hope i can manage. I don't think i'll try the bottle lid method though. lol

You guys are so helpful. I'm glad this site exists. I'm also proud to have the cobaltss.net stickers on my side windows! (And my lanyard too) And my clock, and muscle shirt!!! I love this site!!!