I decided to start a new thread for this. I just finished refurbishing my gas tank, got it all put back together and ran down the street to fill her up. Got back to the house and left her idle while I aired up my tires. She quit running sitting in my driveway. Now she won't start...barely fires.
I pulled the fuel lines at the engine, and shorted out the harness as described in the service manual...to test for fuel pump working. No fuel comes out when I turn the key over. At first, I figured this was an open/shut case. But now I'm wondering if a relay could be bad. I was reading about some kind of relay in certain models that controls fuel flow. Then I read about some kind of air flow meter. Could that be bad?
What should I check next?

 

Could be a lot of things. First off, what car? From your description it sounds like an SE. Under the bin behind the drivers seat is the connector for the fuel pump. Check for voltage there to eliminate any electrical issues. You cleaned the tank but did you pull the pump and all lines? You may have a clogged inlet to the pump. The SE has an inlet filter that gets clogged if there is rust in your tank. You should also be able to hear the pump running.

 

Yes, I have a 1985 GSL-SE. I replaced the pump yesterday because I could not hear the other one running after shorting out the harness near the air filter and checking for 12 volts under the drive side compartment at the harness. I did have 12 volt. After replacing the pump, I can hear the new one running, but it will not pull fuel. I was checking for fuel flow at the fuel rail under the hood. I just pulled off the line closest to the passenger side and watched as I turned the key. I let it run for awhile, no fuel. Then I pulled the pressure side of the pump right at the outlet. Still no fuel flow. Since I had that line off, I blew into the pickup line to see if there were any obstructions in the tank. That pressurized the tank, and then fuel came out of that the pickup line...and I also saw fuel all around the pickup line where the flex meets the hardline above the rear axle! I wonder now if I need to drop the tank again and sort out a line leak?

As a side note, the old pump worked as well when I hit it with twelve volt on my work bench. And, I can hear it running. Don't really understand why I could not hear it running when it was on the car.

 

Keep at it, you'll get it. There is a return line and a fuel cut. You hould check both of those too. Could just be you need to fill the tank full and prime the pump/lines.

 

I appreciate the encouragement. This has been a lot for me, not really a mechanic.
I pulled the tank again yesterday and found a leak in the main supply line. Now I'm trying to find replacement line. Today I went to 3 different places in town, AutoZone, Napa and Crows...none of them had a line of same size. I've found appropriate replacement lines for the return and vent, but the feed line seems to be special for some reason.

 

Two things.

First, you might have your lines reversed at the filter in which case the pump will run but it will not be pulling fuel. You might have had enough fuel in the system to luckily get to the station and back depending on how far it was but then you ran out.

Second, if there is any air getting into the system before the pump it will pull air and not fuel, thus cavitating the pump. I once had a rust hole in the pickup line that was not seen and it would pull air into the line and not fuel. So, make sure you have not holes in any of your hardlines or rubber lines.

 

You need to look for 1/2" fuel line. See if that fits the oddball GSL-SE steel hard line.

 

I've had trouble getting the fuel pump to pull fuel at all when the line between the tank and pump is empty. I use an air compressor to pressurize the fuel tank to push fuel into the pump. Also 3/8" hose should work for the feed.

 

OK, I got it running!
I picked up some 1/2" line from Godman Speed here in town. They build drag cars and such, and were the ONLY place in the city that I found that carried 1/2" fuel line. Got that installed, re-installed the fuel pump, removed the jumper at the fuel pump harness after a few seconds of priming and off she went.
When I pulled the tank, after seeing fuel leaking from unknown places, I found a leak in the pickup line. It must have started leaking soon after I got it running the last time. So now, I'm all back running and off to deal with other things that need work.
Thanks to all for the encouragement and guidance!
sq

 

so if i broke my vent valve my car wont start?

 

Glad to see you figured it out.