I was driving yesterday and the car just shut off. I pulled over to try to start it and it wouldn't start. It turns over but won't start. I towed it home and checked a few things. I checked all of the fuses (the ones under the hood and in under the dash) and none was blown. The A/C relay was blown and I bought a new. I wasn't sure about the main relay so I bought a new one too. I didn't hear the fuel pump turn on when the ignition is turned on. Thinking it was the fuel pump, I replaced it with a new one. It's not the fuel filter because it was replaced about two months ago. What else can cause disrupt power from going to the fuel pump to prevent the car from starting?

 

the fuel pump will come on during cranking mode only then after 5 seconds or so stop unless the car starts... there is a relay...

 

I didn't here it come on as I was trying to start the car.

 

check the relay

 

Where's the fuel pump relay located; is it the one that's under the fuse compartment under hood next to the A/C relay?

 

there are 2 relays that control the fuel pump... the sfi relay is next to the battery and the circuit opening relay is above the glove box in the dash... check the easy one first...

 

The SFI main relay was replaced with a new one. As for the one in the dash, I didn't know there was one there because I only checked the fuse box in the dash thinking that was it. That explains why I couldn't find it. I'll look today to see if it's blown.

 

Have you checked for spark?

 

I checked for spark last night and according to the FSM, there's supposed to be spark coming for the high tension cable (aka the coil wire) when it's disconnected and you're trying to start the car. I didn't see any spark at all as I was trying to start the car with the coil wire off. I checked the igniter and it seems to be within the voltage range according to the FSM. However, the primary coil is out of range but the second coil is within range. I'm going to go to the junk yard to get another coil and if it works I'll buy a new ignition coil just to be on the safe side.

 

I checked the fuel pump relay and it was fine. I changed out the igniter and coil (they were used but looked to be in good condition) and still have the same problem. I remember getting starting hesitation when I start the car for the first time. Once it gets warmed up, it starts with no problem. I'm going to check the cold start valve.

 

Problem solved. It turned out to be the distributor connector. Those things are very flimsy and fragile. I changed the connector for a new one and the car started with no hesitation...

 

Success!

 

How many quarts of tranny fluid goes into the tranny after a flush?