HELP PLEASE… The engine turns over but doesn’t start. Turns quick enough that I think my battery is fine. I get a spark, but it looks sort of small. I replaced the Main fuel relay yesterday and I can hear it click when I turn the key on. Has anyone had their fuel pump fail? I need some more suggestions. I drove it to lunch on Wednesday and it was fine, then when I went to go home, it would not start. Why is this happening?
TIA
diagnose the ignition coil. mine was dead. and see if an msd one is around the same price, replacement for mine at the shop was 55 i think. probably generic too.
Igniter is another possibility.
Do you smell gas when you’re cranking?
ok, I pulled the spark plugs and they are dry so I am definitely getting a spark. I loosened the small bolt on the top of the fuel filter that is on the inlet side and turned the key and I get NO pressure there. So, besides the main fuel relay, what else can cause the fuel pump not to work. Can someone please either scan their fuse panel layout or point me to a place online where I could look through the fuses? Any other suggestions? Also, how difficult is the fuel pump on these cars?
Thanks,
Shaun
If your main fuel relay is working and you’re not getting any fuel pressure, I would guess the pump itself is toast or there’s a bad connection on it. I’ve never done mine, but I know that on the hatchbacks (i think) you can access it by taking out the rear seat.
also do a search on here for a mention of the helms manual online. I think it’s blackteg0.tripod.net or something, but I can’t remember. It’s in PDF (acrobat) format, and it will tell you how to access the fuel pump.
re: starter problems
I listened for the fuel pump to prime and as far as I can tell I can hear it engaging. It sounding like a very faint wurring sound. So I understand that if this can be heard that the fuel pump is working properly and therefore the relay is fine as well right? What is the next step to troubleshoot? I have searched and searched but just keep hearing people say relay problem. I am not about to drop 60 for a stupid relay unless I can know it is faulty. Did anyone use an ohmeter to check the coil?
erik
If the fuel pump comes on, then your relay should be fine. You can test the relay though, the haynes manual has a good section on it. You can figure it out from the helms as well, but the haynes tells you exactly how to check it without having to figure out the schematic like the helms. You might want to replace your fuel filter if it hasn’t been replaced in a while. Probably the best thing to do is just go through the helms manual section on the fuel/ignition system, and just troubleshoot that way. You should find your problem doing that.
Oh, you have to use an ohmmeter to test your coil’s internal resistance.
same happened to me, it was the coil … other possibility is your ignitor …
when my coil died, i checked for the fuel pump hiss and heard nothing. but it ended being fine. wierd.
anyways, ya its most likely coil, igniter, or fuel relay. you can test them all yourself
I don’t think it is my coil or igniter. I pulled a spark plug after trying to start it and they were dry. I left that plug out and put it in the spark plug wire and turned the car over. I got a pretty good spark. I took out the test screw on the fuel filter and it didn’t have any pressure behind it. A little strange. I then got my wife to turn the engine over twice and NO FUEL came from the screw…hmmm…me thinks my fuel pump is dead. I did’t have a multimeter with me or I would have tested for voltage at the fuel sending unit. I just replaced the Main fuel relay and it clicks when i turn the keys on. SO, I guess my next question is what are my options for a high flow fuel pump that is a direct drop in? Thanks guys for everyones input.