We got an '82 last night. PO said no spark. We found spark. Bad plug wire but spark. Would only run on starting fluid. Checked fuel pump, looks to be PO non OEM add on. It was not running with key on or in start. It is not getting electricity. I jumped it, it ran and so did the car! So, how is the OEM pump triggered? I assume there's either a oil pressure switch or some safety deal not allowing electricity. Would appreciate tips on this while I go search. Thanks, all, pretty stoked to have it running already!

 

just key on through the underdash fuse box, blown fuse perhaps? IIRC the fuel pump power wire from the fuse box will be black/green, running under the kick panel on driver side. the wire also goes through a junction connector under the driver side storage bin

 

Thanks, here's what we figured out. PO has replaced pump. Pump was not coming on. Traced wire into cabin (no small feat, it's a 2x2 and how does one get the "rear seat" out?). I pulled the center console switch plate to find a toggle switch (this is hidden UNDER the OEM switch plate) Toggle is grounded and has a wire coming and going, one wire is HOT and unswitched, the other leads to the fuel pump. So, I turn on the toggle and on comes the pump. Very interesting why it is unswitched and then hidden, I mean, I suppose you could pop the console plate off every time you want to use the car but that's silly. I think I will redo it so the feed is switched and also use an OEM toggle that is in that center console (with all it's feeds clipped off). So pump comes on with key but can be turned off anytime if needed. That's how I've done it on previous cars. Would prefer an inertia trigger or oil pressure or something as a bit of a safe guard but we'll see.
Thanks for the reply.
So we went from getting the car yesterday with "no spark" diagnosis from PO to driving it down the road after finding jerry rigged fuel pump issue. $0 so far!
Brakes are next!!!!

 

Something tells me the immediate PO didn't own that car long - as clearly he's not the one who installed that switch.

I hope you have no issues with title.

 

a hidden switch like that would be an old school theft deterrent. my dad showed us how to do that on the ignition. in ur case, they'd only get so far before the carb ran out of gas.

 

Yep, I've rigged a few cars that way too so kinda knew what I was looking for, but hot all the time and hidden is silly. I rigged one on an Opel GT and an MG Midget but always used switched power and just left the switch on all the time, only turning it off if I needed to work on the car's electrics and didn't want the pump running or, if I had to park someplace that made me nervous, then I'd throw the switch. I don't know how the PO drove it at all if he didn't know about the switch. He claimed he drove it all last summer but not this past one. I'll have to trace those wires upstream and put in on a switched feed. No matter. Fun car to drive.

 

Traced feed wire up through firewall right to + battery cable. Why? No idea why they went all the way straight to battery for unswitched source. I cut it, taped it off found an unused connector behind radio area, found a connector (dark green?) that went hot with key on so used that to feed pump. Ditched the toggle switch for one that was already in the center console but with all it's wires snipped off. Soldered all connections and shrink wrapped 'em. So, if switch is left on, pump comes on with key, goes off with key. Can turn off with rocker switch if wanted. I can only assume this feed is fused somewhere. Will investigate more later but at least this makes more sense. Poor PO, either stopped driving car for want of throwing a simple hidden toggle or he knew it was there and gave up for other reason, I should ask him but that probably isn't cool to bug him anymore.

 

im curious what happened to the original power wire for the pump is it still there? perhaps cut and tucked out of the way?

 

Good question. Not sure where it would have been routed but PO did it up through bottom of car (looks like a factory route) then under carpet to center console, then along edge of shifter, behind dash, through firewall (sharing the speedo cable hole) and bolted to a connection close to the + battery cable. I wanted to use factory circuit but no wire and didn't feel like digging for it. Can redo down the road but is far better now anyway.
My kid is chomp'n at the bit to get the brakes squared away and new rubber, then it's VROOM VROOM time!

 

Just take what currently exists, get your power from a switched source (like at the coils) make sure the switch is on, hide it, and forget about it.




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Yeah, that's essentially what I did, used switched 12v at that unplugged connector. OEM rocker is exposed by shifter, which is nice to able to simply turn off pump, not so nice if you bump it by mistake though and strand yourself for hours and call Dad (me) to come pick you up. Note to son: check that switch if you can't start the car!