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> Need help car wont start
tod914
post Sep 20 2003, 08:43 AM
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2 weeks ago I did some clean up in the engine bay. I was carefull with the water, but apparently a few things got wet. I did not start the car afterwards like I should of. Today I spent the morning cleaning every electric leed and connection. Grounds, Relay board, injector conections, distr cap, plugsl etc.
with wd40 to dispurse any water and contact cleaner.

The car is a 2.0 with pertronix. I tried starting fluid in the throttle body. It runs for a sec then dies. The fuel pump is working and it the starter and ign. are good.

Any tips on where to look next?
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URY914
post Sep 20 2003, 09:14 AM
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Check all the spark plug wires.
Check the distr inside and out. Make sure the cap in on the distr correctly.

You probably have something slightly out relating to the distr.

Paul
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Air_Cooled_Nut
post Sep 20 2003, 10:37 AM
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If the car does actually run (fire) then die you can rule out the electronic points. Those are an all-or-nothing device. And don't sway the wires 'just in case'! Doing so will fry them, making them completely useless.

-ALL spark plug wires going to the proper cylinders?
-Wires on coil connected to proper terminals (if firing then this is likely)?
-How is the condition of the hoses/vacuum lines? I discovered (yet again more bad news for me) that not all of the hoses were replaced on my (ahem) rebuilt 2.0L, two being the vacuum advance/retard lines that go from the throttle body to the dizzy vacuum canister. Made a difference on my idle. Luckily I had kept my stuff from my old 1.8L and found two new lines to replace the old, brittle ones...rebuilt my ass...discovered a tear in the sheet metal below the coil mount :-(
-Are you sure the battery is up to the job? Test it's voltage with a voltmeter. The cells have plenty of distilled water in them (this is why I luv the Optima batteries, totally sealed and packed full of power!)?
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tod914
post Sep 20 2003, 10:54 AM
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The vacuum lines are new. The order of the wires has not been changed. I did 1 at a time. The cap is on correct.

Could fuel injection trigger points cause a problem like this? I dont know how to pull the distrubutor to check or what to even look for.

Bad throttle body switch? even though its 1 year 1/2 old?

Bad CPU?

Volt reg is new. I check the relays in the relay board they are fine. No blown fuzes. Battery seems to crank well.

Maybe I should pull an injector amd see if its gettn fuel?
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Brad Roberts
post Sep 20 2003, 11:00 AM
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Its fuel related. I bet you hear the pump for the 1-2 seconds it primes the system and then dont hear it again.

99% of the time.. this is a relay issue on the relay board. Spin the fuel pump fuse in its holder (or pull them both out and clean them with a wire brush) Flip the 2 main relays out with the your headlight relay's... I promise one of them got wet and can no longer hold itself in the closed position.



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tod914
post Sep 20 2003, 11:20 AM
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just tried that Brad. No dice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
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Brad Roberts
post Sep 20 2003, 11:21 AM
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Can you hear the fuel pump prime ??



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Brad Roberts
post Sep 20 2003, 11:22 AM
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Stay online. You have my attention for 20 more minutes.



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tod914
post Sep 20 2003, 11:22 AM
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yes it primes
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tod914
post Sep 20 2003, 11:26 AM
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Brad if its any easier for you, and you have a few minutes to spare, I could call you or you could call my cell and maybe trouble shoot faster?

Here is my home 973-694-4721
cell is 973-886-6473

I could call you back so its on my dime
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Brad Roberts
post Sep 20 2003, 11:33 AM
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This is actually easier. The wife really gets tired of hearing me on the phone with 914 related crap (I'm at home right now).

The key is: the car runs for second or two with the starting fluid. This means we have *some* spark.

1.I would pull a plug wire and hold it close to ground (very close) and have someone spin the car over. We need to check for consistant spark. If you see a constant spark when the engine is cranking we can at least head down the fuel path.

2. Does the car have gas in it ?? I dont mean the gauge reads fine.... but the yellow light is on.


3.Do you have a fuel pressure tester ?? Do you have a old relay that you can bust the cap off the top of it ??



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tod914
post Sep 20 2003, 12:47 PM
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Brad,

Im sure you get bombarded with calls. No problem, I appreciate the help.

Im running out to buy a gauge to test the pressure.

I pulled a spark plug and it is bone dry. So Im not flooding the engine. I will also look for a old relay. To hot wire it for the fuel pump,
Do I connect to 30 & 87 with a piece of wire. Is that your method? Or do you have something different in mind.

I will get some1 to assist while checking the spark plug wire and see if the injectors are clicking. I assume its ok to hold while doing that test? Call me mechanically de-inclined

Thanks, I'll follow up in abit
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Brad Roberts
post Sep 20 2003, 12:54 PM
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I sent you my cell number.


I use the relay to cycle the pump. Pull the cover off and you can push down on the contacts and make the fuel pump run. This quickly tells me whether or not the complete circuit for the fuel pump is working all the time. I keep a few around without tops for testing.


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Bleyseng
post Sep 20 2003, 01:38 PM
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Just switch out the fuel pump relay with a headlight one. Be sure to clean the contacts where they plug in as I bet its that greenishcrap that is stopping the relay from working.
If you have some di-electric silicon lightly coat the prongs before inserting the relay.


Geoff
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RustyWa
post Sep 20 2003, 01:55 PM
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Here's another thing to go look at. It worked for me.

http://members.rennlist.com/pbanders/FPChe...klist_frame.htm
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tod914
post Sep 20 2003, 03:29 PM
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Ok making real good progress with special thanks to Brad. Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the input. Hopefully we can wrap it up tomorrow or at least
know what needs to be done to correct the problem.
Brad, thanks again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)


Tod
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Howard
post Sep 20 2003, 09:38 PM
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Tod, I'm banging my head against the wall with same problem. Just posted mine (fuel pump?).

My pump doesn't prime (no sound)

I'll watch to see what you find.

Howard

thanks to Brad and Geoff. Brad nice meeting you in Agoura. Say Hi to Mrs. Asshole for me.
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tod914
post Sep 21 2003, 05:36 AM
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Howard, with mine, it primes.

The car has spark, injectors click, fuel pump works.
Injectors do not spray. Going to pick up a pressure gauge to read the fuel pressure today and pull an injector to see if it's clogged. I had contamination problems a while back. So wouldnt surprize me if it finally messed things up.

Maybe try swapping the relays like Brad first suggested and check the fuze on the relay board.
Hope your's is an easier fix than mine. On the brighter note, I sure did learn alot.
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Brad Roberts
post Sep 21 2003, 05:42 AM
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I must admit.. you where very quick with my suggestions. You didnt hesitate to move forward.

Check out my thread with red engine tin pics.. that is what I as assembling while chatting with you.



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