L98 No start problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Manitoba
L98 No start problem
Sorry folks, I tried using the search, but none of the returned threads had anything to do with what I was looking for...
The problem: Just tried firing up my 89 after a long winter's nap... I've been charging the battery, and it fired up instantly... almost too fast... with a big VARRROOOM!... and then died.
Now it just cranks over, no fire. 
Ordinarily I'd do a bunch of trouble shooting (fire/spark/O2) but this is stupid... it started fine and idled fine a couple times throughout the winter, and now this? Just thought I'd throw it out there and see if this rings a bell for anyone.
Thanks all.
The problem: Just tried firing up my 89 after a long winter's nap... I've been charging the battery, and it fired up instantly... almost too fast... with a big VARRROOOM!... and then died.
Now it just cranks over, no fire. Ordinarily I'd do a bunch of trouble shooting (fire/spark/O2) but this is stupid... it started fine and idled fine a couple times throughout the winter, and now this? Just thought I'd throw it out there and see if this rings a bell for anyone.
Thanks all.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 14
From: Cumming Ga
Sorry folks, I tried using the search, but none of the returned threads had anything to do with what I was looking for...
The problem: Just tried firing up my 89 after a long winter's nap... I've been charging the battery, and it fired up instantly... almost too fast... with a big VARRROOOM!... and then died. Now it just cranks over, no fire.
Ordinarily I'd do a bunch of trouble shooting (fire/spark/O2) but this is stupid... it started fine and idled fine a couple times throughout the winter, and now this? Just thought I'd throw it out there and see if this rings a bell for anyone.
Thanks all.
The problem: Just tried firing up my 89 after a long winter's nap... I've been charging the battery, and it fired up instantly... almost too fast... with a big VARRROOOM!... and then died.
Now it just cranks over, no fire. Ordinarily I'd do a bunch of trouble shooting (fire/spark/O2) but this is stupid... it started fine and idled fine a couple times throughout the winter, and now this? Just thought I'd throw it out there and see if this rings a bell for anyone.
Thanks all.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Sorry folks, I tried using the search, but none of the returned threads had anything to do with what I was looking for...
The problem: Just tried firing up my 89 after a long winter's nap... I've been charging the battery, and it fired up instantly... almost too fast... with a big VARRROOOM!... and then died. Now it just cranks over, no fire.
Ordinarily I'd do a bunch of trouble shooting (fire/spark/O2) but this is stupid... it started fine and idled fine a couple times throughout the winter, and now this? Just thought I'd throw it out there and see if this rings a bell for anyone.
Thanks all.
The problem: Just tried firing up my 89 after a long winter's nap... I've been charging the battery, and it fired up instantly... almost too fast... with a big VARRROOOM!... and then died.
Now it just cranks over, no fire. Ordinarily I'd do a bunch of trouble shooting (fire/spark/O2) but this is stupid... it started fine and idled fine a couple times throughout the winter, and now this? Just thought I'd throw it out there and see if this rings a bell for anyone.
Thanks all.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
ALWAYS do the basic tests!!!! Use a timing light while cranking to see if you have spark and spark at the right time. Connect a fuel pressure gauge on the shrader valve at the end of the right fuel rail and see if you have 35-42 psi and see if it holds pressure for a long time with the ign off. Rapid drop in pressure indicates leaky injector/s or defective fuel pressure regulator check valve. Use a noid light (available at parts stores) to check if the injectors are being pulsed while cranking. Spray some starter fluid into the intake while cranking and if it runs, you may have contaminated gasoline or injectors that are pulsed but not spraying.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Manitoba
Ok, no codes, injectors are reading 17 for all 8 (they are the original grey tops).
I did notice this time out that the fuel pump doesn't come on when the key is turned to 'on'... I'm sure it did the first time when it started momentarily, but it don't now. I swapped the relay out with the rad fan relay, no change.
I looked for a 'fuel pump' fuse, is there one somewhere other than the fuse box on the right side of the dash? I also pulled the injector fuses, they were good so I put them back in. ECM fuse is fine too...
so now's when you tell me it's the fuel pump right?
I did notice this time out that the fuel pump doesn't come on when the key is turned to 'on'... I'm sure it did the first time when it started momentarily, but it don't now. I swapped the relay out with the rad fan relay, no change.
I looked for a 'fuel pump' fuse, is there one somewhere other than the fuse box on the right side of the dash? I also pulled the injector fuses, they were good so I put them back in. ECM fuse is fine too...
so now's when you tell me it's the fuel pump right?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Manitoba
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Ok, no codes, injectors are reading 17 for all 8 (they are the original grey tops).
I did notice this time out that the fuel pump doesn't come on when the key is turned to 'on'... I'm sure it did the first time when it started momentarily, but it don't now. I swapped the relay out with the rad fan relay, no change.
I looked for a 'fuel pump' fuse, is there one somewhere other than the fuse box on the right side of the dash? I also pulled the injector fuses, they were good so I put them back in. ECM fuse is fine too...
so now's when you tell me it's the fuel pump right?
I did notice this time out that the fuel pump doesn't come on when the key is turned to 'on'... I'm sure it did the first time when it started momentarily, but it don't now. I swapped the relay out with the rad fan relay, no change.
I looked for a 'fuel pump' fuse, is there one somewhere other than the fuse box on the right side of the dash? I also pulled the injector fuses, they were good so I put them back in. ECM fuse is fine too...
so now's when you tell me it's the fuel pump right?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Manitoba
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,293
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Ok, no codes, injectors are reading 17 for all 8 (they are the original grey tops).
I did notice this time out that the fuel pump doesn't come on when the key is turned to 'on'... I'm sure it did the first time when it started momentarily, but it don't now. I swapped the relay out with the rad fan relay, no change.
I looked for a 'fuel pump' fuse, is there one somewhere other than the fuse box on the right side of the dash? I also pulled the injector fuses, they were good so I put them back in. ECM fuse is fine too...
so now's when you tell me it's the fuel pump right?
I did notice this time out that the fuel pump doesn't come on when the key is turned to 'on'... I'm sure it did the first time when it started momentarily, but it don't now. I swapped the relay out with the rad fan relay, no change.
I looked for a 'fuel pump' fuse, is there one somewhere other than the fuse box on the right side of the dash? I also pulled the injector fuses, they were good so I put them back in. ECM fuse is fine too...
so now's when you tell me it's the fuel pump right?
If you supply 12 volts to terminal "G", on the ALDL connector, the pump should run until the 12 volts is removed. Comes in handy when diagnosing fuel delivery problems.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Manitoba
You should have a fuse in the right hand dash fuse panel. Mine is located in the bottom right corner of panel, 10 amps.
If you supply 12 volts to terminal "G", on the ALDL connector, the pump should run until the 12 volts is removed. Comes in handy when diagnosing fuel delivery problems.
If you supply 12 volts to terminal "G", on the ALDL connector, the pump should run until the 12 volts is removed. Comes in handy when diagnosing fuel delivery problems.
I'll try that tonight after work. What I did notice when jumping A-B to get the codes is that the rad fan came on with the key... when I pull the jumper out and turn the key back on, no rad fan. Is this normal or an indication of a problem?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Normal. Assuming you have a volt meter or test light check for power at the fuel pump.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Manitoba
I couldn't wait till after work. Checked the fuse in the bottom right of the fuse box labelled "FR" (Fuel Relay?), it's fine. Put 12v to G on the ALDL, nothing from the pump.
Guess I'll pick up a fuel pump and filter on the way home and check for power at the pump when I get home.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Guess I'll pick up a fuel pump and filter on the way home and check for power at the pump when I get home.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 1
From: Nesquehoning PA
When you turn the key, you should hear a CLICK from your Fuel pump relay...no click, no power....backtrack from there...you may want to check grounds and connections...I had the same symptons as you are and it turned out to be a dirty connector...aside from that you may want to look at the wire(s) that go from your ignition switch to the fuel system...on mine it is a pink/white wire and has to do with the sequence needed for ignition...sometimes they can be shorted or broken or just disconnected...
Last edited by JeepCycle; Apr 9, 2009 at 02:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Oakville Manitoba
So I went out this morning prepared to spend the day with a test light checking wires. I turned the key on to see if the fuel relay is clicking, and the pump started humming. Cranked it over and she fired up!
I haven't done anything to it other than what i've mentioned, so I am at a loss... could it be a bad VATS key chip that maybe works intermittently? Could the fuel pump be on it's way out and fail only once in a while? I went around and wiggled all the injector connectors, fuel up wires, fuel relay wires, etc while it was running. Didn't so much as sputter... now I'm a little scared to take it out, b/c I don't know when it's going to leave me stranded.
I haven't done anything to it other than what i've mentioned, so I am at a loss... could it be a bad VATS key chip that maybe works intermittently? Could the fuel pump be on it's way out and fail only once in a while? I went around and wiggled all the injector connectors, fuel up wires, fuel relay wires, etc while it was running. Didn't so much as sputter... now I'm a little scared to take it out, b/c I don't know when it's going to leave me stranded.
