I was driving around my 84 for a few days, no problems, started, ran..etc..etc..

I backed out of my driveway, started driving down a hill near my house...and the car died.....had to have it towed to my driveway.....200yards away.

Anyway, while it was being towed, I realized I have a leak in the top of my gas tank (which I hear is pretty common).

Now, this week I put new plugs in it, and put some more gas in it, still it would not start.

I sprayed some starting fluid into the carb....it takes a more than one try...but it starts....but it won't stay running.

I'm guessing either the leak in the fuel tank is preventing gas getting through the lines or the pump suddenly died.....

Does a fuel pump suddenly die?

 

i would say yes pumps die all of a sudden cause mine did about 3 months ago. it was running great one night drove it hard and parked. got back in and it ran for about 5 min. and just died. just check the pump. lift the rear of the car and check the pump. dissconnect the fuel line that runs to the carb and see if it pumps gas
( i would recomend a bucket and no smoking)
also since ur under the car check your fuel filter. how longs it been since u change that????

 

Yes, fuel pumps dies randomly, without warning.

I bet that's your issue, if the engine isn't getting fuel.

 

Also check your trailing ignitor. I know 85 and I would think 84 would cut power to the fuel pump if the trailing igntion was dead.

 

When it runs.......even with when I put gas into the carb and sprayed some starting fluid...it sounded fine when it ran for 10-30seconds.......

But the next question is would that(ie ignition) die all of a sudden?

 

The module could have cooked itself.

It happens, but that's not your problem. Trailing ignition has almost no effect on starting and running, you probably wouldn't even notice the power loss.

My money is that your pump is shot.

 

On all 84-85 models if the trailing ignitor goes, the fuel pump will not operate. Do you see the tach moving as you attempt to start the engine?

 

u should be able to hear the pump when ur ignition switch is turned on.

oh yeah i forgot about the jumping tach when u try to crank.

also when my pump went out i checked it by pulling it out and connecting 12volts to it directly.

 

The pump does not come on when you turn the key to the on position on 84-85 models. This is only on the previous models. Fuel pump starts working when you start cranking the engine on 84-85 models.

 

yep it has to see the trailing ignition signal. works like this

engine turning -> ignitor-> ecu/emissions control unit->fuel pump relay -> fuel pump.

with the trailing dead, the tach also wont work, hint hint.

next step would be to pull the bin on the drivers side, and jump the fuel pump, if it works, then you may have a bad relay/ emissions box.

 

Cant he just take a test light to the fuel pump wires and see if he's getting 12 volts at the fuel pump. and if he does have 12 volts then more then likely its the pump right.????
no power bad trailing or relay, power at pump bad pump.???


oh and by the way was up DOC. you helped me about 3 months ago with this very same problem. just wanna say thanks again for the help

 

yes that will work... if its while he it is cranking the engine.

 

If by move you mean "wiggling"...yes it moves......


I cannot find my old Haynes Manual.......I am guessing the red outline is the where the fuel lines run into the carb....


If so....even when trying to crank it....no fuel comes out of the lines I disconnected from the inlets into the carb.

So, I'm guessing there is nearly no other options than the problem being the fuel pump......

 

when you say the tach won't work......do you mean at all? because when I spray starter fluid into the carb and it starts...the tach certainly works then.....

I didn't have time to try and jump the fuel pump.....or....my 2yo just wasn't letting me try to much today.....

 

Yes, he meant at all. If the tach works when you start the car by spraying starter fluid, then your trailing ignition works. I would replace the fuel pump since, unless it has been changed in recent years, it needs to be replaced anyways.

 

Have a buddy crank it over while you check for voltage to the pump. That will narrow it down in a hurry for you....

 

Thanks everyone for the help.........

will update when I get this figured out/fixed....