and I couldn't find an answer or even these particular symptoms. I was driving my car home this evening, going at about 40 on a slight downhill in 4th (it was still not fully warmed up) and all of a sudden the car lost the little power it had left (it is running on one rotor right now) and pumping the accelerator did not change the car speed at all. Engine just died. I coasted to a parking lot, try to start it, the engine cranks, the tach moves, but no go. I wait a few mins, try again, engine starts. Rev it up slowly to about 4k, stays there for a little while, and then dies right out! it felt like if I was accelerating the engine and then turn the ignition key to the off position. Same engine behaviour. Battery is strong, all lights are on. No smoke coming out of the exhaust whenever I would start it and make it run. Wait for a few mins, crank the engine, starts, and about 40 secs later it dies again. Waited for a few mins, did the same, same result. Fuel filter is new, no coolant or oil leaking, but I noticed that when I turn the key to the on position, whereas it usually makes the fuel pump work, there is no ticking sound this time, only silence... so it could be the pump or the fuse or the relay I guess, but why waiting a few mins, pumping and cranking the engine makes it go for around 30-40 secs if there is no fuel pump working? I'd think once the fuel is used up, if the pump is not working, it would not start again. Yet I started it about 8 times in about and hour and a half period and it ran for 20-40 secs each time. I left the car at the parking lot and got a ride home. Now I have to figure out what's wrong and go back in the morning and handle whatever it is. Please help!

 

Fuel pump relay? Dead trailing ignitor? Man, I don't like those '84-'85 fuel pump weirdnesses. I'd prefer the fuel pump to run whenever the key is on, like the older cars do.

 

tach is working, so I don't think trailing ignitor. And fuel pump, or relay, or fuse or whatever, would it exhibit those symptoms or starting every few mins even though not lasting?

 

If I had to guess it would be a fuel problem. If you don't hear the pump running then run a jumper wire to it and try to start it then. If it does the same then you know it isn't that.

 

Though not completely dead, I'm willing to bet your fuel pump is on its way out...it's not always a catastrophic loss or suddenly-one-day-it-won't-work kinda thing...time to step up to the plate...

 

Ok. You might well be right. But could there be anything electrical to check, such as fuse or relay or even the wiring? I wonder what the location of the coupler is. Trying to find it in the manuals... or which fuse is the engine fuse.

 

<<<sigh>>>OK, my search found this...

Neat Relay Trick From Andrew

 

dont worrk your mechanic is on the way ! !

ill call you...


Though not completely dead, I'm willing to bet your fuel pump is on its way out...it's not always a catastrophic loss or suddenly-one-day-it-won't-work kinda thing...time to step up to the plate...


is that for sale and is it for carb set up?



-Ryan

 

Thanks, did the relay trick and no change. All fuses are ok so it's gotta be the fuel pump itself. Stay tuned...

 

so yes it was the fuel pump after all. Wouldn't run even connected straight to the battery! bought new one. Pics of old one:

 

and new one:

 

That looks like a Facet pump.

 

If you're still stock, then the Facet one is fine and same loudness as stock. I wonder who makes that kind of pump now...Facet, Purolater or do they buy it from some unknown company and just rebadge it...