Car won't start. Long.

Ian Gorman · 07-11-2005, 12:00 PM

Do you know if the fuel pressure is staying up once the car is running? You may have enough pressure for idle but once you put a load on the system the pressure could be dropping, causing the stalls. Have you checked to see if the fuel pump relay is getting hot? It shouldn't. I've have had similar symptoms but have been told that my fule pump has developed an internal ground and is about to be replaced. Have the relay checked out, the extra draw from a failing pump burns them up pretty quickly. I replaced two within 3,000 miles before I realized what was going on.

NitroNixon · 07-11-2005, 01:31 PM

I haven't had a chance to check my feul pressure gauge while the engine was running. But when I initially turn the key, I can hear the buzzing from the pump and the fuel pressure rises to around 32psi.

Where is the feul pump relay located?

I have an 87 GT Hatchback.

Ian Gorman · 07-11-2005, 01:51 PM

I think on an 87 it is under the driver's seat. It is mounted to the metal boltdown bracket right under the middle of the seat. Just take out the bolt and gently pull the whole assembly forward. When I remounted mine I did not tighten everything up so that when it went out again I could replace thye relay without using any tools.

Did you use a timing light when you were checking for spark? You seem pretty convinced that spark was the problem and I must admit that originally a bad coil had crossed my mind but the electricals checked out OK.

NitroNixon · 07-11-2005, 03:09 PM

I couldn't use a timing light because I didn't have one available since I was stranded on the side of the beltway. Also I can even get the engine started long engine to use the timing light.

I'll check the relay though.

Thanks

Hozer 88GTConv · 07-11-2005, 03:34 PM

I would definitely start at that box, where's it located? Under the hood? Sounds possibly like an electrical heat sink issue, that is as a component heats up it becomes less effective at producing/managing spark. That's why the tfi module is in the stupidest place ever.
Take the box out of the loop...
good luck...

NitroNixon · 07-11-2005, 03:41 PM

The box is under the hood, directly under my cold air intake filter. I will take it out of the loop.

Thanks

NitroNixon · 07-12-2005, 08:08 PM

Update - I had the codes pulled and here's what I found

67 - Neutral Drive SW CKT Open or A/C on
81 - Thermactor Divert or Bypass CKT
82 - Thermactor Divert or Bypass CKT
95 - Code Definition not available
***Continous Memory Codes - Fix Last***

Anyone knows what they mean?

Should I be looking at my neutral switch? I'm going to try and remove my Crane Box to see if the engine will start with the stock ignition.

07-11-2005, 12:00 PM	#1
Ian Gorman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 5	Re: Car won't start. Long. Do you know if the fuel pressure is staying up once the car is running? You may have enough pressure for idle but once you put a load on the system the pressure could be dropping, causing the stalls. Have you checked to see if the fuel pump relay is getting hot? It shouldn't. I've have had similar symptoms but have been told that my fule pump has developed an internal ground and is about to be replaced. Have the relay checked out, the extra draw from a failing pump burns them up pretty quickly. I replaced two within 3,000 miles before I realized what was going on.

07-11-2005, 01:31 PM	#2
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Re: Car won't start. Long. I haven't had a chance to check my feul pressure gauge while the engine was running. But when I initially turn the key, I can hear the buzzing from the pump and the fuel pressure rises to around 32psi. Where is the feul pump relay located? I have an 87 GT Hatchback. __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

07-11-2005, 01:51 PM	#3
Ian Gorman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 5	Re: Car won't start. Long. I think on an 87 it is under the driver's seat. It is mounted to the metal boltdown bracket right under the middle of the seat. Just take out the bolt and gently pull the whole assembly forward. When I remounted mine I did not tighten everything up so that when it went out again I could replace thye relay without using any tools. Did you use a timing light when you were checking for spark? You seem pretty convinced that spark was the problem and I must admit that originally a bad coil had crossed my mind but the electricals checked out OK.

07-11-2005, 03:09 PM	#4
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Re: Car won't start. Long. I couldn't use a timing light because I didn't have one available since I was stranded on the side of the beltway. Also I can even get the engine started long engine to use the timing light. I'll check the relay though. Thanks __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

07-11-2005, 03:34 PM	#5
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	Re: Car won't start. Long. I would definitely start at that box, where's it located? Under the hood? Sounds possibly like an electrical heat sink issue, that is as a component heats up it becomes less effective at producing/managing spark. That's why the tfi module is in the stupidest place ever. Take the box out of the loop... good luck... __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

07-11-2005, 03:41 PM	#6
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Re: Car won't start. Long. The box is under the hood, directly under my cold air intake filter. I will take it out of the loop. Thanks __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

07-12-2005, 08:08 PM	#7
NitroNixon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DC Posts: 129	Re: Car won't start. Long. Update - I had the codes pulled and here's what I found 67 - Neutral Drive SW CKT Open or A/C on 81 - Thermactor Divert or Bypass CKT 82 - Thermactor Divert or Bypass CKT 95 - Code Definition not available *Continous Memory Codes - Fix Last* Anyone knows what they mean? Should I be looking at my neutral switch? I'm going to try and remove my Crane Box to see if the engine will start with the stock ignition. __________________ 87 GT As of 2/1/06 650 DP Carb Crosswind Intake Edelbrock Performer Heads 97 Explorer Bottomend w/ B-303 Cam 1.7 Roller Rockers Flowtech Longtube Headers Flowtech H-Pipe MSD Black Wires MSD ignition MSD Distributor Blaster 3 Coil Electric Fan Underdrive Pullies T5 Trans Hurst Shifter Lowered 1.5" 373 Gears

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