My 99 intrigue no longer allows me to pump in more than a couple of gallons of gas before it starts back flowing out the tank. what gives? is it a censer? thanks for your help!

There should be a button on the dash left of the steering wheel it has a gas pump on it and that will open the gas door.

First sign of pump going bad when it is being filled fuel swirls the dirt around in the tank and when you go to start it it is hard. after the pump is running it runs fine til the next time.

depending on the vehicle not more than 30-40 miles because the lite is designed to let you know that the reserve portion of the fuel tank has been reached,,also be advised that running the car this low on fuel has been known to cause premature fuel pump failure due to overheating and pump cavitation..if you can keep at least a quarter tank in the car it will last much longer..(things we learn over time) this lght generally means only a couple of gallons left..but dont abuse it...

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE FUEL PUMP AT GAS STATION IS FLOWING FAST AND FUEL ISANT GETTING INTO THE TANK FAST ENOUGH SO THE PUMP SHUTS OFF TO PREVENT SPILLAGE

I doubt if it is a repair at all. If I don't pay attention when I activate a pump it shuts if like it was full every couple of seconds. Because everyone is in a hurry now days they have started upping the pressure for filling tanks which causes the fill tubes to fill faster than they can empty into the tank, by the way it is crimped a little inside the tank. they started adding a crimp to the end that goes into the tank a few years back to cut back gas siphoning. The other question I would be asking about this is Do you have any enemies out there that like to play practical jokes? A ping pong ball shoved into the fill tube to your gas tank will cause this to happen. I had to get used to filling the tank without using the clip on the pump handle and reduce the flow into the tank in order to get past this problem.

As you put in your question - Fuel pump? I would agree that this is the best place to start. Check the electrical supply when ignition is on. Listen to the pump when the ignition is switched to position 2 you should be able to hear it. If any doubt persists clamp off the fuel lines to and from the pump to isolate it, and then remove it. Just before doing so note its response when still connected to the electrical supply. Many faults with pumps can be solved by stripping it down and then cleaning components and electrical contacts with a tooth brush and emery board nail file. When reassembled try connecting the electrical supply and comparing its response to the way it behaved prior to strip down. Reconnect the fuel lines. If the problem persists check the pick-up pipe in the tank and the in-line fuel filter for possible blockages. Interesting observation that you had about the need to add a couple of gallons. I would bet that just releasing the fuel filler cap and refitting it would have the same effect as adding more gas. Within the fuel tank there is partial evaporation of gas and this can slightly pressurize the fuel line. When a small amount of gas is used a partial vacuum is caused preventing flow to the engine. Releasing the filler cap should allow the internal tank pressure to equalise with atmospheric pressure.

your in tank fuel pump could have went out at the same time.

Since the Uplanders have the long (front to back) skinny gas tank, with the outlet to the rear; if you run out of gas with the front/nose inclined lower than the rear, then it can take upwards of 5 to 8 gallons to get it started again. It was written up in a GM TSB. Two gallons won't start it. When the gage reads less than 1/2, it's not a good idea to park with the front lower than the rear...unless you carry a full 5 gal. refill. Thank you GM engineering.

Fuel pump....running tank empty ruins the fuel pump

Good chance that even on 4 gallons it may not start I would try for more, prime the fuel pump several times by turning the key on and leaving it on for around 5 seconds then shutting it off and repeating, obviously not trying to start. I've had cases where even small FWD cars won't start even on 4 gallons on a 12 gallon tank. The newer fuel pumps are a closed system that only allow a small portion of fuel into the pump housing to keep contamination down. Let me know if after adding a few more gallons it won't start we will trouble shoot from there. Thank you for using fixya.com