My Friends 86 just started this problem yesterday. Its cranks fine, then runs for a couple of seconds, then shuts off. Despite how high you rev it to keep it running it still dies. It runs fine for that couple of seconds but then it shuts off. We can hear the fuel pump, and air suck through the cold air intake when it runs but it just shuts right the hell off. What gives? What would cause this? Clogged fuel filter? Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.

 

It could be a fuel pump/filter problem. Imagine this scenario. You turn the key to get ready to start. The fuel pump comes on and slowly pressurizes the system (slow due to either the pump or the filter). You start it. But since it's running, it doesn't have the same time to build the kind of pressure needed so it shuts off.

Just a kooky idea, try putting a fuel pressure guage in a tee fitting after your filter and see what you get, if the pressure drops etc.

 

do you have the intake all hooked up and the air filter gate plugged in? Have you changed your spark plug wires? maybe your trailing ones are backwards...

 

When you crank your car, you turn on the fuel pump during cranking. As soon as you let go of the key once the car starts, fuel pump control switches over to a switch in the AFM. If this switch is not made, your engine will run out of gas in a few seconds and die! Sound familiar? 2 possible causes here. A huge intake air leak after the AFM, such that there is insufficient airflow to make the switch. Second, bad AFM switch and/or wiring (to the fuel pump relay). To check AFM switch, meter the resistance of the first 2 contacts (brown and black wires). When you push the air flap open, you should see a short (flap closed, open). If all this is ok, could be wiring or a bad circuit opening relay (under the dash by the steering column). Now, go get it!

Irv, Keith's dad

 

Cool, thanks guys for all your help. I'll let you know how it turns out. But I only got one more question. Whats the AFM? Abbreviations always mess me up.

 

AFM>>>>>>AIR FLOW METER!!