I started the car for the first time in 4 years!

First thing I did was change the Oil, Coolant, and plugs. The car had 3/4 a tank of gas which I didnt want to use but had no choice. She started right up with no problems, it smoked for a few minutes but cleared up nicely. everything sounded very nice. I took it up the block a few times but when I got on it the car kind of hesitated which im thinking could be the fuel filter from the old gas in the tank. through out the night I started the car with no problems.

Later on in the night my neighbor comes knocking on my door saying my alarm was going off (I didnt know I had one). I go out to try to dissable it by the drivers door but nothing happend, tried to start it which it would crank but would not start so thats when I figured it had an ignition kill while the alarm was on. Last thing I tried was the passenger door with the key and that seemed to shut the alarm off. Tried starting the car and she fired up!

Now this morning I go outside to start her up and nothing... The engine cranks but thats it, not even sounding like it wants to start. Like its not sending spark. The plugs are getting fuel to them so It shouldnt be the fuel filter or pump. I was thinking maybe the alarm has something to do with this and if anybody might have any clues?

 

low battery maybe?

 

Battery is New.... Just bought this week and has plenty of juice.

 

It could be the alarm, from what you are describing sound like the immobiliser is still on, try and reset the alarm perhaps by disconnecting the battery for like a minute and connect it again? may reset the alarm

do you know what alarm you have ?
Do you have like a button cell battery in the key or key fob?



shaQ

 

Hmmmm Check under your dash for an ignition kill switch or something, and try finding the brain of the alarm under the dash drivers side usually, and disconnect it, then see if you still have problems.

 

But would the factory alarm have a kill switch?

 

I tried disconecting the battery for a few minutes with no result. I removed the fuse for the security system with no results. Right now I'm thinking it has nothing to do with the factory alarm but dont know what could be stopping it from turning over seeing that it worked fine 12 hours earlier in which started very easily.

Help please... I am new to this car and not sure where to look!

 

is it an aftermarket alarm? is there a valet switch under the steering wheel? or the drivers side kick panel?

 

Well the easiest way to see if it's an electrical problem is to pull each spark plug and ground it with a long screwdriver. If it throws off a sparks its not an alarm or ignition problem, it will take you 2 minutes, tops. If you find it has spark do a search under unflooding procedures. My money says you flooded it, do another search and you'll see that these cars will flood very easily.

 

pull the plugs and see if they are dirty/oily/wet. then ground the plugs via a peice of wire and have someone crank her over and check for spark. then check to see if fuel is getting to engine by unpluging the fuel line in the engine bay and jumping the fuel pump via the diagonist box. if your getting fuel and spark, your missing compression...

oh yeah get new fuel and fuel filter asap!

drain that fuel and set something on fire

 

Thanks guys... I'll try those things tomorrow. I'm also starting to think its the new plugs being fouled out. I just came from a performance shop to grab my bumper in which the owner of the shop owns an FD had told me it might be flooded. I hope thats all it is I also know im gonna have to tackle the fuel filter which looks to be a PITA.

Thanks for all the help you guy/gals are great.

~friz

 

Ok.. Now im thinking these plugs are looking a bit dry and not fouled. Here are the plugs as soon as they have been removed from the car and also after I tried to start it before removing them. I would think that they would be a bit wet!

I guess now I need to check the fuel delivery system. After trying to start the car I can smell gas but more twords the back of the car, could it not be getting past the fuel filter? Also would it matter that I dont have a gas cap? Car ran fine without it while testing everything that day.

Here is a pic of the plugs.

http://home.comcast.net/~frank.s/DSC01727.JPG

 

are you getting any spark?

 

Should the plugs look like that even though I put them in on Saturday? Looks to be quite Carbonated. I'll check for spark as soon as I get out of work.

 

Ok I finally had a little time to try a few things today. First thing I did was buy new plugs and checked for spark from each plug wire conected to the coil which tested fine, I had spark from all four. Second I went through the unflooding proceedure, installed the plugs and tried to start and all she would do is crank. I than pulled the fuel line going into the engine and fuel came out but After all the cranking of the motor the plugs stay dry. I than spray some starting fluid into the upper intake and she starts up for a sec than dies. So this does mean I'm getting good spark but not any fuel right? Also shouldn't the oil pressure gauge go up when cranking over the car?


The car ran fine the day before and wouldnt start the day after. Didnt even sound like it wanted to kick over.

What should I check for next. I'll try anything!

Thanks

 

 

anybody?

 

Check for engine codes (I know you didnt mention the check engine light flashing) but from what youve said so far, it sounds like your getting fuel to the engine, just not through the injectors....they may be clogged or not firing properly (since you have old fuel). Perhaps some injector cleaner will help
. Also check the fuel pump relays(there is one in the fuse box near the battery and another near the front of the hood) both have to be working properly to supply the right amount of fuel. You can short the proper terminals just to see if the relays are working properly (check manual for which terminals).
Allen

 

Thanks for replying...

I know where the terminals are to manually test the fuel pump but how would I know if its pumping fuel? Should I pull the fuel line going into the engine and throw a meter on it? also what position should I have the ignition key on?

Also when I turn the ignition key to Acc. I can hear a click in the engine bay but not sure what it is, is it the fuel pump cause I'm not sure what to listen for. Another question... I went to the trunk and removed the access panel going to the fuel pump (I think) and had my son turn the key but I didnt hear anything! My question is should I have heard anything?

My check engine light does come on when I'm trying to crank her and the tach needle jumps slightly.

Again bear with me on all the questions I'm trying!

 

Since it sat for 4 years, I'd bet that the fuel filter is plugged with water/residue/varnish that condensed in the tank or formed from oxidation of the old gas. If this is true, you may need to drain the tank or even have it flushed to remove whatever crud is in there. At the same time, replace the fuel filter and fill the tank with new fuel and maybe some fuel-system/injector cleaner to remove goo from wherever it has stuck. After you run it for a few miles, I would then change the filter again, just to be careful, since fuel starvation has caused the death of many FD engines due to detonation from running lean under boost. You can still safely drive around gently (little or no boost) with marginal fuel supply, just don't take chances.

 

Than thats what I will do next.

Drain the Fuel in the tank, replace the fuel filter, put fuel int tank with some injector cleaner and try to start it.

But one question, should I hear the fuel pump comming on and where will I haer it?

 

You should be able to hear the pump running with the switch on by putting you ear to the fuel filler pipe. Also, put an in line pressure guage at the engine bay to see what pressure you are getting when you turn the engine. This will tell you if it is the pump or the filter. I would change the filter regardless, thats just a smart thing to do anyway.....
Allen

 

This should help on the correct pressures and proceedures for the fuel system (if you dont have a manual). It also tells how to check fuel pump , pressure etc.....
Allen
http://www.iluvmyrx7.com/1993_factor...ice_manual.htm

 

Encouraging that it chugged on starting ether.
Mine loaded up and would crank but not start the next day after I moved it from the driveway to the curb.
Watched the mechanic get it going. Removed intake nipple and replaced with hose. One person sprays starting ether in the end of the hose, the other crank with accelerator depressed. Keep spraying and cranking until firing and getting 4k rpm or so. Let it run and warm up thouroughly.
I think from now on, for any short move when cold, I will let it warm up fully and burn out all the rich mixture and oil from the start sequence.

 

like the others said above, when you jump the fuel p ump, you should beable to hear it whirling inside the tank when you put your ear to the gas door. the fuel pump mi ght have fell off its pearch. you might want to unplug the fuel line in the enigne bay and jump the fuel pump, fuel should shoot out of there at like 40+psi and really shoot everywhere, you can try to put your finger over the opening as you can feel it and hopefully you can stop some of that spray. if you have compression and spark, your obviously missing fuel.