Elijah Bliss Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 Greetings, I'm new here. I have a 87 4WD fuel injected GL that was sitting in the garage for little over a year. Today I tried to start the car. It started briefly and fizzled out. I tried starting again, it cranks over strong, but will not start. I tested the ignition system, the spark is strong. There are no leaks and I don't smell any gas. I am perplexed because it started just fine a year ago, and I never had any staring problems with this vehicle. I'm beginning to think it's the fuel pump but how would a fuel pump go bad from a year of inactivity? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbh Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 my 89 GL wagon has some trouble starting after sitting there for a week. Pump the gas pedal right to the floor a good few times and try again - usually makes my soob start right up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elijah Bliss Posted February 9, 2006 Author Share Posted February 9, 2006 my 89 GL wagon has some trouble starting after sitting there for a week. Pump the gas pedal right to the floor a good few times and try again - usually makes my soob start right up. I tried that was well, no go. Does gas go bad after sitting a year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbh Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 no idea... might be a good idea to check if it hasn't all evaporated, lol... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooziewhatsit Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 under the hood near the wiper motor should be a pair of single-pole green connectors. Connect them and turn the key to on (don't try to start it). You should hear the fuel pump cycle on-off every second or so; you should also hear a solenoid or two under the hood tick in the same pattern. If the fuel pump doesn't come on at all, either the pump is dead, or there's something wrong with the controller. If it does come on, you probably just have old gas (doesn't take too long for it to go bad) and it will need to be replaced (along with the fuel filter probably). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elijah Bliss Posted February 9, 2006 Author Share Posted February 9, 2006 under the hood near the wiper motor should be a pair of single-pole green connectors. Connect them and turn the key to on (don't try to start it). You should hear the fuel pump cycle on-off every second or so; you should also hear a solenoid or two under the hood tick in the same pattern. If the fuel pump doesn't come on at all, either the pump is dead, or there's something wrong with the controller. I heard the solenoid, but I didn't hear the pump, but would I hear it at all since it's located in the back near the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elijah Bliss Posted February 9, 2006 Author Share Posted February 9, 2006 If the fuel pump doesn't come on at all, either the pump is dead, or there's something wrong with the controller. If it does come on, you probably just have old gas (doesn't take too long for it to go bad) and it will need to be replaced (along with the fuel filter probably). One more question, the Haynes repair manual states that before the pump and/or filter is replaced, the fuel line pressure must be relieved by removing the fuses to the fuel pump and letting the pressure run out while the car is running. Since I can't relieve the pressure that way, how else can this be done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dxrflyboy Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 One more question, the Haynes repair manual states that before the pump and/or filter is replaced, the fuel line pressure must be relieved by removing the fuses to the fuel pump and letting the pressure run out while the car is running. Since I can't relieve the pressure that way, how else can this be done? If the pump doesn't run, you won't have any fuel pressure anyway. To make sure your pump is/is not running, disconnect the fuel hose and direct it into a small container of some sort. Connect the diagnostic connector and turn the ignition on. No gas in the container means dead pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azsubaru Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 If you sit in the car with everything quiet around you, turn the ignition switch on, and you should be able to hear the fuel pump run for about a second or so, then shut off. It's the only sound coming from the rear of the car, so no problem recognising it. Doesn't check pressure, but would at least verify it's working on some level. Also, maybe slightly risky, but if you disconnect the fuel line coming in to the fuel filter without relieving the pressure, and fuel shoots out, the fuel pump is probably ok. Keep a rag handy and don't let the fuel hit you in the eye or anything that's hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 Yes, fuel WILL go bad, rather quickly, without a stabilizer being added to it. There is a product called "Stabil" that is just for that purpose. Cheap insurance if a vehicle is going to sit for a while. If you hooked up the two green connectors and turn the key to the "on" position, you should definitely hear the pump cycling on and off - especially if it is in a garage. (you can open the right rear door for better listening if you are in the drivers seat) if you dont hear the pump then check to be sure there is power getting to it, if there is power getting to it, then the pump is probably dead. the fuel pump sits on a little platform just in front of the right rear wheel. if you have no power at the fuel pump, there are other issues. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 You could also spray a small amount of starter fluid into the intake to see if that makes things go. If so, that would confirm a fuel problem. The old gas may be a problem but since it ran for a bit already I would guess that it isn't the problem here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyewdall Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Yes, it's possible that the fuel pump/wiring could go bad from just sitting -- or at least I too have had that problem. Pickup sat for about 9 months (with stabil in the gas), and started up right away, but after about 20 minutes it stalled. There was no fuel in the clear carbureator bowl at all. Turns out there was something fubared in the wiring to the fuel pump, though the pump itself was still fine. Replaced the wiring, and it runs fine again. I suspect a mouse or rat may have chewed something while it was sitting, or maybe just corrosion. If you can get it running again, it might eventually repair itself, strange as that sounds. I have another truck which sat for 7 years while the engine was rebuilt. When I first started driving it this summer, it had all kinds of electrical gremlins, but oddly enough, the more I drive it, the more stuff works like its supposed to.... relays loosening up again I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elijah Bliss Posted February 10, 2006 Author Share Posted February 10, 2006 under the hood near the wiper motor should be a pair of single-pole green connectors. Connect them and turn the key to on (don't try to start it). You should hear the fuel pump cycle on-off every second or so; you should also hear a solenoid or two under the hood tick in the same pattern. If the fuel pump doesn't come on at all, either the pump is dead, or there's something wrong with the controller. So far: I disconnected the fuel pump and connected the contacts to my multi-meter. I get a 12V reading cycling on and off in rhythm to the solenoid clicking on and off. I'm assuming that this is normal and that the proper voltage is reaching the fuel pump? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPGsuperchargedBrumby Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 if the pump is an external type(as against an intank) try tapping it with a spanner as it may just be stuck. my fuel pump (carb'd) would get stuck if it sat for more that a couple of weeks at a time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave valiant Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I have a starting problem with my 87 wagon everyone in a great while. If it doesn't want ot start I just bang on the fuel pump acouple of times with my fist. It has never failed me yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elijah Bliss Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 if the pump is an external type(as against an intank) try tapping it with a spanner as it may just be stuck. my fuel pump (carb'd) would get stuck if it sat for more that a couple of weeks at a time 3 words: YOU GUYS ROCK!!! I tapped the pump with the hammer a little bit and now the car is starting up like champ! Thanks a MILLION everyone, you saved me quite a bit of money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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