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| Cranks, starts, but doesn’t run (Page 1/1) |
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Mike in Sydney
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JUL 21, 02:42 PM
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Folks, a little help, please…
1986 Fiero SE, L44 V6, 59k original miles; fuel tank and distributor replaced recently.
Key on, fuel pump activates, engine spins, oil pressure good, engine catches, idles a bit (10-15 seconds) then dies, no rich smell, no codes.
My gut feel is that there is an issue with the fuel pump, lines or pulsator. Is there something else that would cause the motor to die after 15 seconds?
(Edited to correct mileage.)[This message has been edited by Mike in Sydney (edited 07-30-2023).]
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Patrick
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JUL 21, 03:05 PM
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Mike, with the fuel pressure being so easy to test on these engines... just check it. 
If for some reason there is no fuel pressure tester available on the the entire Australian continent  , spray some starting fluid into the intake at the 15 second mark and see what happens.
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Mike in Sydney
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JUL 21, 04:28 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Mike, with the fuel pressure being so easy to test on these engines... just check it.
If for some reason there is no fuel pressure tester available on the the entire Australian continent , spray some starting fluid into the intake at the 15 second mark and see what happens. |
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Thanks, Patrick. I happen to be in the U.S. this week visiting the relatives. I’m hoping to get the car running well enough to drive Io Charleston, SC for shipping by RORO back to Oz. I’ll probably drop the tank again and put in a new pump, strainer, sending unit, and pulsator as well as changing out the fuel hoses. (Shoulda did that when I swapped in the replacement tank but I tried to frugal approach after sinking $650 USD on 4 calipers, rotors, dust shields, & pads. Lesson learned!)
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Patrick
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JUL 21, 06:13 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:
I’ll probably drop the tank again and put in a new pump, strainer, sending unit, and pulsator as well as changing out the fuel hoses.
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I didn't think that anyone replaced the pulsator any longer... seeing as how the new fuel pumps don't require it. Just make sure that submersible fuel line hose (and clamps, of course) is used in its place. This was the best place/best price when I replaced mine three years ago...
Gates Submersible Fuel Line Hose - 5/16" - (100 psi) - 1.0 ft
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jelly2m8
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JUL 22, 04:22 AM
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if you can put a fuel pressure gauge on it. on a Fiero the PCM will initially activate the fuel pump for a number of seconds until the oil pressure switch takes over and supplies constant voltage the the Fuel pump. You may have an easy fix and just a faulty oil pressure switch. [This message has been edited by jelly2m8 (edited 07-22-2023).]
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olejoedad
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JUL 22, 08:32 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by jelly2m8:
if you can put a fuel pressure gauge on it. on a Fiero the PCM will initially activate the fuel pump for a number of seconds until the oil pressure switch takes over and supplies constant voltage the the Fuel pump. You may have an easy fix and just a faulty oil pressure switch.
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The OPS is a backup - the ECU reactivates the fuel pump relay after the engine starts.
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Mike in Sydney
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JUL 30, 08:25 PM
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O.K. An update.
A new to me ‘86 SE coupe has been added to the stable. Under 59K miles. Bought it sight unseen from the Mall. Intend to bring it to Australia.
Car had been setting for 10 years. Needed new fuel pump, sending unit and full brake rebuild along with struts and shocks. The car is running (sort of). Hard, hard starting and ragged idle. Likes to have the throttle tickled until it warms up. Idles at 17-1800 rpm until it warms up then drops to around 8-950 rpm. Driving is a different experience. Sometimes stalls when placed into drive or reverse (TH125 auto). Accelerates well & drives at a steady speed without issue. When I pull up to a stoplight or sign, or drop my speed to make a turn, the car sometimes stalls.
Fuel pressure is good. It has a new distributor, wires & plugs, MAP, & O2 sensor. I’m guessing that injectors are the next thing that I need to tackle.
Am I missing anything? Any suggestions?
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Patrick
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JUL 30, 08:52 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:
Fuel pressure is good.
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No offence Mike, but that doesn't tell us much.
What is the actual fuel pressure while running... and how quickly does it drop when the engine is turned off?
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olejoedad
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JUL 31, 09:15 AM
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Unplug the connector on the front side of the tranny to disable the torque converter lockup.
It may prevent stalling when coming to a stop.
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