I've got an '84 Crossfire that won't crank w/o having to use starting fluid!! I changed spark plugs, fuel pump and filter. I took the breather off and watched the injectors when cranking, sometimes they drip and sometimes they don't. Can anybody give me some more advice as to what my problem is and how to fix it?

Thanks Randy

 

I would check the fuel pump for getting power, If not maybe a bad relay.. I had the same problem,
It would run for a minute with starting fluid, Then die immeditly. It was the relay..

The relay is located in the engine compartment, on the fire wall, Right in front of steering wheel, but under the hood.. there is 2 relays there, one in front of the other, I think it is the back one for the fuel pump, I cant recall, but it is one of them...... I think the relay is like 10 bucks from auto parts store...

Let me know what you find...


Ant...

 

We need to address the vocabulary first. Crank/turn over and fire/start/run mean different things to us who are trying to help you.

You wrote that the engine won't "crank", but obviously it does, otherwise, even starting fluid wouldn't get it to run.

When you first turn the ignition key to "ON" but don't try to crank the engine, you should be able to hear the fuel pump energize/turn/run run for abiout 3 seconds or so. It'll be like a buzzing sound. Do you hear that? If you don't, it could be the fuel pump relay's bad.

In any event, even with a bad FP relay the fuel pump should energize/turn on/run after the engine cranks and builds about 4 psi oil pressure.

To check if the pump runs, you can also install a jumper wire to the ALDL that will by-pass both the relay and the oil pressure sender and that will cause the fuel pump to run even if both the relay and sender are bad.

Let us know what you find.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!

 

Ok Jake!! The car runs fine after I get it cranked with the use of starter fluid!!

The pump is energized, that was 1 of the 1st things I checked!!

 

I think in this case, crank=start

 

yeah, what he said!!

 

It's hard enough trouble-shooting these problems without having to first interpret what the write MEANT as opposed to what he WROTE. Using the wrong words to describe a problem simply makes the task more difficult. Of course, I could simply ignore this thread and move on to another one if you prefer I not try to help. But I'll give it one more shot.

Since the fuel pump is running, the next step would be to see if fuel is getting to the fuel pressure regulator. To do this I'd install a fuel pressure gauge and check the reading with the engine cranking. You should see around 40 psi, give or take a few.

If the pressure is low or non-existent, I'd check the fuel pressure filter for being clogged or partially clogged. A failing fuel pump could be the cause, too.

I'd next check the injector fuses.

Then I'd check to see that each injector is actually receiving voltage. You'll need to use a noid light to test each injector at the wiring harness.

These are the easiest things to check, next would involve removing the fuel rails with the injectors still attached and see if the injectors are ACTUALLY spraying.

So depending on the results of your testing we'd know what to recommend next. Post what you come up with.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!

 

ok thanks!!

and oops, sorry!! I don't know the lingo as far as start or crank, but am learning...it makes no sense to be **** though!!