Car won't keep an idle, even if I give it gas
08-11-17, 12:50 PM
#1
Car won't keep an idle, even if I give it gas
Hey guys, I just finished rewiring my fuel pump and when I went to test out the car, it would come to life for a second no problem, but immediately turn off. The fuel pump's currently has a healthy 12.6 volts already going to it so I don't think that's the problem. I have a new fuel filter in there too. Giving it gas doesn't help either, it just refuses to stay on no matter what. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
Quick Edit: I would also like to add that the car was running just fine before the electrical to the fuel pump just randomly stopped working. It had been sitting for a couple months up until a couple weeks ago, but since it was running fine earlier I doubt it's an issue of sitting.
Quick Edit: I would also like to add that the car was running just fine before the electrical to the fuel pump just randomly stopped working. It had been sitting for a couple months up until a couple weeks ago, but since it was running fine earlier I doubt it's an issue of sitting.
Last edited by Saela; 08-11-17 at 01:03 PM.
08-11-17, 08:21 PM
#2
Senior Newbie Member
Hey guys, I just finished rewiring my fuel pump and when I went to test out the car, it would come to life for a second no problem, but immediately turn off. The fuel pump's currently has a healthy 12.6 volts already going to it so I don't think that's the problem. I have a new fuel filter in there too. Giving it gas doesn't help either, it just refuses to stay on no matter what. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
Quick Edit: I would also like to add that the car was running just fine before the electrical to the fuel pump just randomly stopped working. It had been sitting for a couple months up until a couple weeks ago, but since it was running fine earlier I doubt it's an issue of sitting.
Quick Edit: I would also like to add that the car was running just fine before the electrical to the fuel pump just randomly stopped working. It had been sitting for a couple months up until a couple weeks ago, but since it was running fine earlier I doubt it's an issue of sitting.
08-11-17, 11:57 PM
#4
edit: just checked. Unless the side marked "in" shouldn't be the side facing the tank, it's on correctly.
Last edited by Saela; 08-12-17 at 12:01 AM.
08-12-17, 12:21 AM
#6
Senior Newbie Member
FRONT
->
REAR
Both filters I have have an arrow , the arrow points away from the pump in the direction the fuel flows. I put mine the wrong way since I was being drenched by gas and popped it in to stop the flow. Imagine my delight when i saw i put it in backward and had to take a plunge again ! YAY!
Last edited by Frogman; 08-12-17 at 12:25 AM.
08-12-17, 12:50 AM
#7
The arrow should be pointing right if you are facing the rear of the car. The Lid end ( where the plastic is bonded together should be on the right ) Diagram bellow
FRONT
->
REAR
Both filters I have have an arrow , the arrow points away from the pump in the direction the fuel flows. I put mine the wrong way since I was being drenched by gas and popped it in to stop the flow. Imagine my delight when i saw i put it in backward and had to take a plunge again ! YAY!
FRONT
->
REAR
Both filters I have have an arrow , the arrow points away from the pump in the direction the fuel flows. I put mine the wrong way since I was being drenched by gas and popped it in to stop the flow. Imagine my delight when i saw i put it in backward and had to take a plunge again ! YAY!
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08-12-17, 12:56 AM
#8
Senior Newbie Member
Yeah, it's definitely in the correct position- or at least the one in my engine bay is. Guess I'll have to check the one in the back, oh boy. I did check for fuel flow earlier though and the fuel is definitely getting pumped past the fuel filter in the engine bay, so I doubt a clogged or incorrectly installed filter is actually the issue.
08-12-17, 10:55 AM
#9
ancient wizard...
Can you hear the pump running while cranking,check with a voltmeter? Can you see fuel in float bowl windows of carb,at the midpoint of window? Hook + lead of voltmeter to primary terminal of leading ignition coil,ground - lead. Turn key on,should show close to battery voltage. Crank engine,watch voltmeter when engine starts AND stalls to see if still have voltage. If you do and there is fuel in bowls of carb,need to go a little deeper on diagnostics of secondary side of ignition system. Pull a leading plug wire from plug ,stick another plug in wire and ground on engine and crank and look for spark. If there was inconsistent voltage at ignition coil primary terminal,investigate ignition switch circuit. If there was no fuel in bowls,revisit pump wiring + & -. Pull fuel line at carb and put in a jar and crank and check pump output. Drpending on year of your car there is a fuel cut relay underdash that can cause problems. It can be bypassed by a jumper wire if found to be faulty. Somewhere in these steps you will determine source of problem(s). Post back your findings to possibly help someone else down the road.
Last edited by GSLSEforme; 08-12-17 at 11:01 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Saela (08-12-17)
08-12-17, 09:45 PM
#11
Can you hear the pump running while cranking,check with a voltmeter? Can you see fuel in float bowl windows of carb,at the midpoint of window? Hook + lead of voltmeter to primary terminal of leading ignition coil,ground - lead. Turn key on,should show close to battery voltage. Crank engine,watch voltmeter when engine starts AND stalls to see if still have voltage. If you do and there is fuel in bowls of carb,need to go a little deeper on diagnostics of secondary side of ignition system. Pull a leading plug wire from plug ,stick another plug in wire and ground on engine and crank and look for spark. If there was inconsistent voltage at ignition coil primary terminal,investigate ignition switch circuit. If there was no fuel in bowls,revisit pump wiring + & -. Pull fuel line at carb and put in a jar and crank and check pump output. Drpending on year of your car there is a fuel cut relay underdash that can cause problems. It can be bypassed by a jumper wire if found to be faulty. Somewhere in these steps you will determine source of problem(s). Post back your findings to possibly help someone else down the road.
08-16-17, 04:53 PM
#12
It's been a while but I'm back and ready to announce my findings. I'm getting spark on all of my spark plug wires, and I'm definitely getting fuel into the carb. I'm not sure how to check for fuel in the floats of my carb because I have a Weber 45 and I don't want to break the seals on any of the gaskets. When I checked my spark plugs they were pretty fouled, I'll definitely need to replace them.
For now I'm going to try to deflood the engine. I have the spark plugs removed and the fuel pump off. When I crank, I get tons of vapors. I should still be fine, right? I'm afraid of destroying my seals by cranking the engine dry.
For now I'm going to try to deflood the engine. I have the spark plugs removed and the fuel pump off. When I crank, I get tons of vapors. I should still be fine, right? I'm afraid of destroying my seals by cranking the engine dry.
08-16-17, 08:09 PM
#13
ancient wizard...
When i responded to your post,i assumed you were working with a Nikki. Helps if you give all the details. Nikki carbs have windows in both float bowls and why i suggested you check that.
So... it would appear your engine may be getting too much fuel,where we assumed it wasn't getting any. Is fuel pump stock or aftermarket & if so do you have a pressure regulator installed? You mention car sat for awhile,assume(again) you have ethanol fuel there... possible float/needle/seat issue from evaporated gas leaving gummy deposits,causing carb to flood? How old are the plugs you have in car now? Are they wet with fuel,black carbon/soot?
Regarding deflooding,you want to crank engine til no more fuel vapors come from plug holes. Open throttle and pour a couple tablespoons of engine oil down thru each carburetor throat. Turn the engine over by hand to distribute oil around rotor housings. Clean and dry plugs,or replace them. Install plugs,make sure battery is fully charged and try to start it. If it starts try to keep it running,may require some throttle to run and clear out.
If it won't start,don't keep cranking,it'll flood again. Look down carb throat and see if gas is dripping/leaking... down throttle plates,pull plugs and see if they're wet. Post back your findings.
So... it would appear your engine may be getting too much fuel,where we assumed it wasn't getting any. Is fuel pump stock or aftermarket & if so do you have a pressure regulator installed? You mention car sat for awhile,assume(again) you have ethanol fuel there... possible float/needle/seat issue from evaporated gas leaving gummy deposits,causing carb to flood? How old are the plugs you have in car now? Are they wet with fuel,black carbon/soot?
Regarding deflooding,you want to crank engine til no more fuel vapors come from plug holes. Open throttle and pour a couple tablespoons of engine oil down thru each carburetor throat. Turn the engine over by hand to distribute oil around rotor housings. Clean and dry plugs,or replace them. Install plugs,make sure battery is fully charged and try to start it. If it starts try to keep it running,may require some throttle to run and clear out.
If it won't start,don't keep cranking,it'll flood again. Look down carb throat and see if gas is dripping/leaking... down throttle plates,pull plugs and see if they're wet. Post back your findings.
Last edited by GSLSEforme; 08-16-17 at 08:12 PM.