Hi, all.

My '05 Sportwagon has let me down for the first time. I went to start the car yesterday morning and it cranked and cranked and cranked... See video attached.

I didn't have any issues driving the night before. It sounds like it's not getting fuel. Thoughts?

P0111 is a new code that popped up.

 

Update: after opening the gas cap the car started. It took about 5+ seconds of cranking. It chugged slowly until it fired up. It's idling now as we speak.

I don't feel any pressure when holding my hand up to the open filler neck. It seems to be running ok now.

Thoughts? Is this a warning sign of a dying fuel pump?

 

Fuel pumps can wear out their brushes etc, which can cause a dead spot or intermittent operation.........but the big gasp you got when opening the fuel filler followed by a successful start doesn't initially sound like a fuel pump.
Note: after a refill.......three clicks only when you fit you gas cap.
Evap system will run fuel tank at a slight negative pressure after initial start up as it purges the standing condensates from the charcoal filter.
A faulty fuel cap can cause evap operation and cause error codes, and conceivably possible high vacuum in tank which might cause fuel pump to struggle to continue to draw up fuel.

Start with making sure you don't mistakenly overtighten the fuel cap....if you still have problems perhaps replace fuel cap.
If you're not getting any evap error codes...then you likely don't have to investigate that system for the time being.

 

Bennett, the P0111 code is your intake air temp sensor having an issue. I would clear it and then see if it comes back. If not, just a fluke. If it does, then you have either a bad sensor or the wiring to the sensor has been damaged.

As for your problem, I would venture to guess that you may have a stuck purge valve and that is causing the fuel tank to develop too much of a vacuum which will cause the fuel pump to cavitate, resulting in no fuel flow. hence why after removing the filler cap, the car started with a little bit of time. Now, it could be the fuel pump is getting old. Next time this happens, make sure all the interior electronics are off and then roll the key to the RUN position (do not attempt to start the car). Listen for the fuel pump to run for a second or so after turning the key to the RUN position. if the pump does not start, then problem with the fuel pump. If the fuel pump runs and runs and runs, then odds are you have too much vacuum in the tank and you need to figure out why the vacuum is there.

If you need more assistance, let me know.

 

Thank you both for your input.

There was no gasp of air when I opened the gas cap. Opening the cap may have made no difference; it could be merely coincidental the car started after opening it. I haven't had any issues starting since. I can hear the fuel pump prime as normal when the key is switched to the run position. The car performs well including under WOT. It does occasionally stumble when idling at a stoplight. No codes. Could a crankshaft position sensor be on its way out? How else can I test for the bad purge valve theory?

 

bennett, the car tests the valve for you. When the tank is between 3/4 and 1/4, the car will periodically draw a slight vacuum on the fuel tank to see if it is leaking. If things are good, no code. If it senses a leak, then you will get a P0455 or P0456 (minor or major leak) code.