Hard to start after replacing injectors...
#81
Team Owner
#82
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I'd take off the fuel filler lid till I see pic below. Top line is feed, bottom right is return and the small one is the vent
Say you got someone to turn the key, pump runs for 2 seconds. Soon as he says he sees 40psi, clamp off the return line and see if the pressure holds.
Say you got someone to turn the key, pump runs for 2 seconds. Soon as he says he sees 40psi, clamp off the return line and see if the pressure holds.
Thanks!
#83
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Are you waiting long to crank the motor after building pressure? If you build pressure and then it drops to 20psi within ~5-10 seconds you're probably draining it to the tank. This usually happens when the FPR is bad or the pulsator at the pump. There's an FSM page or two for that problem, but it's essentially just clamping off the supply and return fuel lines just outside the fuel sending unit at the tank. If pressure holds when you clamp the return line, then it's the FPR. If it holds when you clamp the supply line, it's probably the pulsator. That's _likely_ an entirely separate issue and may not mean much.
I know it was probably a pain getting to that 4-way connector at the distributor - but would you mind trying the fuel pressure test with it unplugged and the car warmed up? At that point the cold start injector shouldn't be dumping fuel at all and the pressure shouldn't drop.
I know it was probably a pain getting to that 4-way connector at the distributor - but would you mind trying the fuel pressure test with it unplugged and the car warmed up? At that point the cold start injector shouldn't be dumping fuel at all and the pressure shouldn't drop.
Looks like I have a lot of tests to try...thanks.
#84
Team Owner
Problem is the jagged edges that can hurt the hose and too many people think this is a "HE MAN" contest and crank on it hard. Flat jaws and low enough pressure, maybe.
#85
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
HELL NO!!! The proper tool is THIS but basically, you don't want too much pressure so don't get carried away. Jaws should be flat and not points.
Problem is the jagged edges that can hurt the hose and too many people think this is a "HE MAN" contest and crank on it hard. Flat jaws and low enough pressure, maybe.
Problem is the jagged edges that can hurt the hose and too many people think this is a "HE MAN" contest and crank on it hard. Flat jaws and low enough pressure, maybe.
#86
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Are you waiting long to crank the motor after building pressure? If you build pressure and then it drops to 20psi within ~5-10 seconds you're probably draining it to the tank. This usually happens when the FPR is bad or the pulsator at the pump. There's an FSM page or two for that problem, but it's essentially just clamping off the supply and return fuel lines just outside the fuel sending unit at the tank. If pressure holds when you clamp the return line, then it's the FPR. If it holds when you clamp the supply line, it's probably the pulsator. That's _likely_ an entirely separate issue and may not mean much.
I know it was probably a pain getting to that 4-way connector at the distributor - but would you mind trying the fuel pressure test with it unplugged and the car warmed up? At that point the cold start injector shouldn't be dumping fuel at all and the pressure shouldn't drop.
I know it was probably a pain getting to that 4-way connector at the distributor - but would you mind trying the fuel pressure test with it unplugged and the car warmed up? At that point the cold start injector shouldn't be dumping fuel at all and the pressure shouldn't drop.
#87
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Okay, I've got some things to report!
First off, I tried that 9th injector test. Hope I did it right. I put one probe in one of the pins, and the other probe to the intake manifold. I got .6 ohms on one, and 7.8 ohms on the other. Not sure if that tells you anything itself, but I went further. When cranked, I got 9.59 volts.
I tried starting it with the pedal floored, but it doesn't start any easier.
I sat there and thought about how the pressure goes to 43, and drops down to 20 so fast. Now, I tend to put my key in, wait to hear the fuel pump, and then start it. I decided to try and just put the key in and crank it wihtout my usual, customary wait, and it does start faster that way.
I guess my next step is to get some pinch pliers, and try that fuel line test, but like to hear anything anyone has to suggest in the meantime.
Thanks!
First off, I tried that 9th injector test. Hope I did it right. I put one probe in one of the pins, and the other probe to the intake manifold. I got .6 ohms on one, and 7.8 ohms on the other. Not sure if that tells you anything itself, but I went further. When cranked, I got 9.59 volts.
I tried starting it with the pedal floored, but it doesn't start any easier.
I sat there and thought about how the pressure goes to 43, and drops down to 20 so fast. Now, I tend to put my key in, wait to hear the fuel pump, and then start it. I decided to try and just put the key in and crank it wihtout my usual, customary wait, and it does start faster that way.
I guess my next step is to get some pinch pliers, and try that fuel line test, but like to hear anything anyone has to suggest in the meantime.
Thanks!
#88
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Following up here. You're talking about one of the two relays behind the battery, right? I replaced them a few hundred miles ago, but replaced them again, along with the sockets and harnesses, but unfortunately it didn't help. Still hard to start. I thank you for the suggestion though.
#89
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Cold start switch and cold start relay are the same, I should have called it the cold start switch. Pull of the cold start injector connector and make sure one of the pins is grounded by using the ohm setting on the multi meter. Touch one of the connector pins and the intake manifold and see if it reads around 1 ohm, then touch the other pin and see what it reads, it should be open no reading. The pin that reads open should then read 10-12 V (switch the multi meter to read DC volts) when you crank the car. This will determine if you are getting power to the cold start injector when you crank the car.
The fuel pressure dropping to 20 PSI in one minute is not the issue unless you are getting a flooding condition when the car is warm. If you are getting 42 PSI at cranking you have fuel present and that is removed from the equation.
The fuel pressure dropping to 20 PSI in one minute is not the issue unless you are getting a flooding condition when the car is warm. If you are getting 42 PSI at cranking you have fuel present and that is removed from the equation.
I tried that 9th injector test. Hope I did it right. I put one probe in one of the pins, and the other probe to the intake manifold. I got .6 ohms on one, and 7.8 ohms on the other. Not sure if that tells you anything itself, but I went further. When cranked, I got 9.59 volts.
I tried starting it with the pedal floored, but it doesn't start any easier.
I sat there and thought about how the pressure goes to 43, and drops down to 20 so fast. Now, I tend to put my key in, wait to hear the fuel pump, and then start it. I decided to try and just put the key in and crank it without my usual, customary wait, and it does start faster that way.
Thanks!
#90
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
If the car starts easier hot I assume the reason for the hard starting is lack of fuel. To confirm this what happens if you put the peddle all the way to the floor and try to start the car (release as soon as the car starts)? This should turn off the injectors and if it was a lack of fuel the car should not start. If the car starts very quickly and clears out immediately it was too much fuel and that will cause us to go down a different path.
#91
Team Owner
I sat there and thought about how the pressure goes to 43, and drops down to 20 so fast. Now, I tend to put my key in, wait to hear the fuel pump, and then start it. I decided to try and just put the key in and crank it without my usual, customary wait, and it does start faster that way.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#92
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Why the customary wait? If you had looked, you'd see that the pressure gets up to spec within a second or less so waiting is unnecessary. If it starts faster WITHOUT the wait, maybe there is a fuel leak which explains why it drops fast. That leak could be external (which you say it doesn't) or internal and goes back to the tank. Do the clamping of hoses to test or we can keep throwing parts at it.
What would cause an "internal" leak...any idea where to start looking?
Unfortunately, I keep very odd hours, but I can do those tests later this morning. Will have to get those pliers first though. Will the one concerning the pulsator tell me anything if mine has the bypass hose? Been a few years, but I think mine has that bypass hose. Thank you.
Last edited by racerseks; 06-11-2017 at 01:29 AM.
#93
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Why the customary wait? If you had looked, you'd see that the pressure gets up to spec within a second or less so waiting is unnecessary. If it starts faster WITHOUT the wait, maybe there is a fuel leak which explains why it drops fast. That leak could be external (which you say it doesn't) or internal and goes back to the tank. Do the clamping of hoses to test or we can keep throwing parts at it.
Is this testing in the Factory Service Manual? If so, do you know what section it's in?
Thanks!
#94
Team Owner
I guess I just got used to giving it a sec, before I turned the key. Just habit, I suppose. Done that with every car I've had when I can hear the pump, and it's never been a problem.
What would cause an "internal" leak...any idea where to start looking?
Unfortunately, I keep very odd hours, but I can do those tests later this morning. Will have to get those pliers first though. Will the one concerning the pulsator tell me anything if mine has the bypass hose? Been a few years, but I think mine has that bypass hose. Thank you.
What would cause an "internal" leak...any idea where to start looking?
Unfortunately, I keep very odd hours, but I can do those tests later this morning. Will have to get those pliers first though. Will the one concerning the pulsator tell me anything if mine has the bypass hose? Been a few years, but I think mine has that bypass hose. Thank you.
Who knows. Could be a bad FPR (they can and do come out leaking out of the box) since they are only a rubber membrane at best. Could be that the injectors are leaking although the car will seem to run fine because the ECM can compensate. Could be that the pulsator or the hose replacing the pulsator is leaking. Could be that the pump is not holding the pressure. Hard to say.
Hard to say until we look at it. You'd have to take the pump out and see if there is a rubber hose between the pump and the metal tube or whether there is a pulsator. If there is a hose, it could leak just because it does or because it has the wrong type of hose.
#95
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Not sure why. I saw my adopted dad always do that. Shut AC off when the car is being shut down, let it run for a few before he turns it on. I never was able to teach him about the "set it and forget it" paradigm. Yes, it won't be a problem because your fuel system is supposed to be able to hold the prime for a bit. Also, I imagine that is why you can't turn the key off quickly and turn it on and have it re-prime.
Who knows. Could be a bad FPR (they can and do come out leaking out of the box) since they are only a rubber membrane at best. Could be that the injectors are leaking although the car will seem to run fine because the ECM can compensate. Could be that the pulsator or the hose replacing the pulsator is leaking. Could be that the pump is not holding the pressure. Hard to say.
Hard to say until we look at it. You'd have to take the pump out and see if there is a rubber hose between the pump and the metal tube or whether there is a pulsator. If there is a hose, it could leak just because it does or because it has the wrong type of hose.
Who knows. Could be a bad FPR (they can and do come out leaking out of the box) since they are only a rubber membrane at best. Could be that the injectors are leaking although the car will seem to run fine because the ECM can compensate. Could be that the pulsator or the hose replacing the pulsator is leaking. Could be that the pump is not holding the pressure. Hard to say.
Hard to say until we look at it. You'd have to take the pump out and see if there is a rubber hose between the pump and the metal tube or whether there is a pulsator. If there is a hose, it could leak just because it does or because it has the wrong type of hose.
Well, I had my other set of eyes around this morning. Did the "pinch" tests, and going to bed soon..."odd hours", ya know?
When clamping the return line, the pressure went to about 43psi or so, and I'd clamp it. From there, I don't know if it was a slight delay in clamping, but it held just under 38 psi for 20 minutes. When I clamped the send line, it went up to 43 as well...but dropped very fast. So does that mean my FPR is probably okay, and most likely it is something in the tank, such as pulsator or bypass hose, fuel pump, or check valve? Also, is the check valve part of the fuel pump...or is it a separate part?
While in there, I replaced the "vent" hose. Big rip in it...but that happens when this stuff comes on and off over and over again. Between two or three fuel pump changes, pumping "bad" gas out of it, etc. etc. over the last few years, I've probably had all that off half a dozen times or so now...maybe more.
Anyway, if that looks like what's going on here, I'll pull the pump out in the next few days pending rain here in Florida, and replace it and the bypass hose and/or pulsator if need be. I am almost positive I have the bypass hose in there from a previous fuel pump change. Think I'll go with a better one this time.
Thanks for the help!
#96
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Not sure why. I saw my adopted dad always do that. Shut AC off when the car is being shut down, let it run for a few before he turns it on. I never was able to teach him about the "set it and forget it" paradigm. Yes, it won't be a problem because your fuel system is supposed to be able to hold the prime for a bit. Also, I imagine that is why you can't turn the key off quickly and turn it on and have it re-prime.
Who knows. Could be a bad FPR (they can and do come out leaking out of the box) since they are only a rubber membrane at best. Could be that the injectors are leaking although the car will seem to run fine because the ECM can compensate. Could be that the pulsator or the hose replacing the pulsator is leaking. Could be that the pump is not holding the pressure. Hard to say.
Hard to say until we look at it. You'd have to take the pump out and see if there is a rubber hose between the pump and the metal tube or whether there is a pulsator. If there is a hose, it could leak just because it does or because it has the wrong type of hose.
Who knows. Could be a bad FPR (they can and do come out leaking out of the box) since they are only a rubber membrane at best. Could be that the injectors are leaking although the car will seem to run fine because the ECM can compensate. Could be that the pulsator or the hose replacing the pulsator is leaking. Could be that the pump is not holding the pressure. Hard to say.
Hard to say until we look at it. You'd have to take the pump out and see if there is a rubber hose between the pump and the metal tube or whether there is a pulsator. If there is a hose, it could leak just because it does or because it has the wrong type of hose.
Any way to test the check valve on the fuel pump, ort anything else? Any next step?
Thanks...
#97
Team Owner
Well, I got the fuel pump out of there the other day. It does have the hose instead of the pulsator. Nothing written on it, but it looks brand new and hasn't degraded at all. Clamps are on good and tight too.
Any way to test the check valve on the fuel pump, ort anything else? Any next step?
Thanks...
Any way to test the check valve on the fuel pump, ort anything else? Any next step?
Thanks...
Now we need a couple of people involved. The guy at the pump will give the signal and the guy in the car turns the key and read the hose. A second later (The priming should be about done), clamp off the feed hose. If the pressure drops, it is between the regulator and the clamp. If it holds, your pump is an issue.
#99
Safety Car
bingo, as mentioned 90 posts ago the problem is not the fuel pressure drop. If you have pressure when you crank the car the pressure drop is a non issue. Most likely the chip needs to be adjusted to the new injectors, or the cold start injector has failed.
#100
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter