da hell is a quad suspended license o_O

 

it's when your lisence gets suspended from 4 different things I'm guessing

 

If anyone feels like trying some troubleshooting... I went down to VA to try to get that 88 FC running again today. I replaced the fuel pump and dumped some fresh fuel in there. Nothing... tried the unflooding technique, still nothing. no sputtering or anything...

So I paused for a while and figured I'd take a look at the air filter... (kinda stumped right now, so I figure I better check everything).. A mouse had decided to setup camp inside the stock airbox. So I cleaned that all out and tried starting it.... Nothing.

Ok... at this point I got very desperate and I decided to put a little gasoline directly into the intake since I still suspect the engine just isn't getting fuel. It STARTED! It ran for about 3 seconds, coughed up some smoke and shut off. It ran extremely smooth too, which leads me to believe the motor is in good shape still. I tried a few more times to get it running again and couldn't.

Now, my question: Can anyone think of anything else that could cause the engine to not be getting fuel? Don't rule out the fuel pump either... it was a freebie and might not be working correctly. Also note the rest of the car has been sitting for about 2 years.

Thoughts??

~Dan

 

what I think... (not in any perticular order)

1. fuel pump is still dead
2. hole in fuel line
3. ecu dead
4. wiring to the fuel pump bad...
5. really really clogged fuel filter

those are just the things that I can think of

have you checked the compression?

 

Thanks Eage,

I havne't checked compression, but the fact that it ran ever so briefly leads me to believe that's at least good enough to drive.

Ok so lemme see... I'll have to just swap out the ecu to test that.

Volt meter to the fuel pump to check that.

Replace fuel filter just cuz it's easy.

Replace fuel pump again cuz it's easy also.

Tofuball, do you have any spare ecu's sitting around? I know you have a couple fuel pumps...

~Dan

 

Don't just be throwing spare parts at the problem... What if there's a short and it blows the new ECU...

You've verified that it's a fuel problem.

Check other ****.

Attempt to start with the fuel filter removed. (Put a rag or cup near the fuel line. I'm not responsible for fires.)

Pull the storage bin behind the driver's seat. (At least on the 1st gen, I've done this.) there'll be a 2 pin connector. Remove that, it should be the fuel pump power wiring. Turn the key and make sure there's power to it when cycling the key on and off or attempting to start.

Yes/No?

YES: Figure out which is + and - with a volt meter. Now the mating connector that goes to the fuel pump. Hook what's supposed to be - to the chassis and hook what's supposed to be + striaght up to the battery. (I have a long *** clip lead for this.)

You should hear the fuel pump running constantly under the car. Try to start. If no, then there's your culprit... Also check lines, etc.

NO: Check associated fuel pump relays, etc... (Wiring diagrams are handy.)

Get a "Noid light" and plug it into the injectors.. It should flash when the injectors pulse. Attempt to start with the noid light connected. Flash?

Check wiring harnesses... Rodents love these. You mentioned one had set up shop in the air box... Any plastic in his nest?

Last case, swap ECU. If ECU is bad, throw it out and order up a MegaSquirt.

I only suggest the above as I troubleshot a computer a few months ago... Motherboard was fried. So I tell the owner to get a new motherboard and I put it in... Worked for 5 mins and the magic smoke came out. Turns out the power supply would spike high voltage at some points.

Another motherboard and a new power supply and everything was back in order.

 

I see you're in northern virginia... wanna come check it out with me some night this week? You have a very nice flowchart thing going on here.

btw... the car is in fairfax about 3 miles from the intersection of rt. 29 and rt. 50.


~Dan

 

Rock on. What time?

 

I assume that after cranking for a while you got no fuel smell comming from the engine bay or exhaust? In a rotary, after 20-30 seconds of cranking without starting you should start smelling fuel from one of those two areas. If you aren't then it's highly likely that the problem is indeed fuel.

Me personally though, I'm not actually convinced that its a fuel problem if it indeed ran for 3 seconds. You say it was running long enough for you to tell it was running smooth so I take that as enough to be sure it wasn't running for less than three seconds. You likely won't get 3 seconds of run time off of fumes which leads me to believe that it would more so be an airflow issue after the MAF.

I'd be inclined to make sure the manifold is bolted down tight, make sure the tube from the intake elbow to the ACV and BAC is connected and not cracked anywhere, verify that neither the BAC nor ACV is stuck open, and verify that all vacuum hoses running away from the manifold are in place.

I'd be willing to help out as well. Even today since I'm off work, just let us know when you are going back out there and as long as I'm available I'll go out there with you to get your car running.

 

Dan, I am positive the problem is fuel. Remember we didnt have the pump delivering presure before? Check the voltage first

Munch, what happend to your car? Doesnt start? Whats up?

 

Thanks for the responses guys! I can do anytime this week after tuesday. I get off work at 4, but it'll take me about an hour to get down to Fairfax.

Do we wanna have a fix-it party? I can order pizzas and stuff.

~Dan

Edit: forgot to mention I can't do anything today because I'm remodeling my bedroom. (paint, new furniture etc...) And as a result I probably won't be near a computer most of the day either.

 

you forgot me...but mines in the shop at least

 

Yeah, you don't count since yours is being fixed currently...

Congrats on the going away party and what not, sorry I couldn't attend... you know how poor my *** is these days...

 

anyone in the local whitemarsh/towson or anywhere above the toll has a spare speedometer cord laying around and they dont need it any more.. let me know!!! (dont want to get pulled over for speeding)

 

look what I made today

 

Ooohhhh Hot stuff! Too nice to work with either of my rx7's for now. (not to mention neither of mine have power windows...)

 

yeah I would have made the entire arm rest Cf and just cut out the switches so they could work but the stupid *** mazda engineers designed the top piece to be part of the electronics and the damn arm rest bolts to the door panel for strength and attaches with like 6 screws. We are going to redo the entire door panel because their is way to many screws and extra heavy bullshit that can be removed.

 

this will be my final post before i leave tomorrow morning. It was great hanging with you guys since last year. thanks to jason, mike, ken and his g/f for coming out this past saturday to Medieval Times. next time you guys hear from me, i'll be in mississippi in 2 months.

peez and good luck with yer cars dudes (and dudette)

falnfenix: yeah im a bit lagged but nice duck butt

 

O_o

didjooo see my LJ or somethin? lol...the duck butt's gone already

oh - and not that you'll see this, but good luck.

 

OK, thats pretty cool!

FARE THEE WELL!!!

Yes, I have a spare, you know this :p


Yes! Lets have a fix it party! Bring the car to Jons and I'll work on it a bit, but I need help! I'll be at Jon's around 4:30 today.

 

anyone have any idea why I get a proxy error when I try to start a thread in the 2nd gen forum? I get the same error when I try and search their. Strange

 

i usually get them when the forum lags

 

I crashed the 'vert.

 

No worries, it'll buff out...

 

damn how did you do that? I thought Dave was the only one who crashes his vert every few weeks