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I have recently been having a problem with my ‘84 car where it is very difficult to get started on most cold early mornings. Sounds as though it is not getting fuel. It only acts like this on the first start of the day and will crank up perfect the feast of the day. I purchased a new fuel pump relay since they are cheap and decided to start there. After going to instal it I noticed the relay is not bolted where it should be (next to the brake booster). I did however find a relay almost identical to the fuel pump relay laying near the booster/ battery but upon inspection found this relay on has 4 male and 4 female prongs and seems to have a new ground wire spliced in. (Photos below). When this relay is disconnected, the fan does not turn on but the car starts and runs like normal.so here are my questions. Is this the fan relay? Where is my fuel pump relay? Did somebody wire my fan into my fuel pump relay? Why does this relay only have 4 prongs where the new relay has 5. Please if you have any ideas let me know
Do you hear fuel pump comr on when key is turned to run? Install fuel pressure gauge pressure should be 9-15 psi and hold when key is turned off. Coolant sensor and connecor should also be looked at for corrosion.
The 'GREEN' receptacle I'd think is likely a 'Cooling Fan Relay' and Fuel Pump Relay Connector should be 'BLACK' - green matching an OE 4 terminal relay (14098902) likely. On the relay with only 4 terminals, is there a part number on it?
You'll have a tough time hearing the fuel pump running. You could pull the fuel door, dig out the rubber plug and put a test light across the two outer terminals of the fuel pump connector and see if you have power when you turn the key. The relay is only on for a few seconds at that point so be sure you can see it when you turn the key.
I changed the fuel pump relay and when listening with a stethoscope, the relay can be heard clicking and I can hear the fuel pump run. Problem persists. It only hard starts probably around 70% of mornings, but if the car has been run at any point that day( such as me driving to work) it never fails to start later in the day (me driving home from work) my biggest worry is that I’m wreaking havoc on my starter and my battery by sitting there trying to force it to start day after day. So I need the problem resolved. Should I check the coolant temp sensor next? If so, how would I go about doing that. Thanks for the help
A scanner would be helpful to see sensor readings ECM is seeing. If the coolant and air temp sensors are round. I would change them for updated sensors using 2 wire inline connectors. Verify ignition timing is set correctly. Have you checked fuel pressure? Are both injectors spraying on cold start, when car is hard to start? Vacuum leaks?
I once had a similar problem with hard starting at various times. Turned out it was the module in the distributor! May want to change it and see what happens. Might change the coil while you are at it.
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1984 hard start/ relay questions
