Hi all!

I bought a well used and abused 86SE. It wouldn't start. So I towed it home.

I did a little bit if research and decided that the fuel pump needed changing.

Just got done doing that. Same problem.

It starts and runs for about 1/2 to 1 1/2 seconds and then dies.

I also have swapped out fuel rails. I am thinking it is still a Fuel pressure problem.

When I push the Schrader Valve, nothing happens, No air escaping, no fuel coming out either?

Has anybody else had this particular problem?

Thanks a lot!

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1984 SE - 30800 out of 136840. Being modified!

When you turn the Key do you hear the Fuel pump turn on for 2 seconds? If not it could be your pump relay. If it does come on did you change the fuel filter? If you arnt getting any fuel I cannot see how It can Start for a bit then stop. Is there a Gas smell at your exhaust? You could have bad injectors.

The Fuel pump relay works fine, the fuel pump kicks on and off like it's supposed to.

I am not sure that it is a Injector problem.

I still am not getting good fuel pressure in the fuel rail. (No, I don't have a fuel pressure guage yet) When the fuel pump is activally running, fuel will spurt out of the schrader valve(when depressed). If I check the schraeder valve after attempting to start there is nothing, no air or fuel.

-Don

Did you change the fuel filter?

I AGREE WITH CADDYROB ON THIS ONE. I THINK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE ONE OR MORE INJECTORS HUNG OPEN. IF THIS IS SO, THAN ALL YOUR FUEL DUMPS STAEIGHT INTO THE CYCLENDER, INSTEAD OF RETAINING PRESSURE. THIS IS VERY NOTICIABLE WITH A FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE.

Fuel pressure regulator?

Ed

I did change the fuel filter.

I put a used pressure regulator on, off of a known well-running engine.

If the injector was stuck open, wouldn't there be a gasoline smell out of the exhaust? There is not a gas smell currently.

I AM HAVING A COLD START PROBLEM ALSO ON A NEWLY REBUILT 2.8L...MINE RUNS GOOD WHEN WARMED UP AFTER SEVERAL STARTS...HAVE YOU CHECKED THE COLD START INJECTOR AND THE COLD START SWITHCH....I HAVE ORDERED A COLD START SWITHCH FROM THE FIERO STORE BUT CAN NOT FIND A COLD INJECTOR...I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS AN INJECTOR THAT ONLY COMES ON WHEN NEED FOR A COLD OR NON WARMED UP SITUATION, AND IS LOCATED IN INTAKE UNDER LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE LOOKIN FROM REAR.

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GARY TUCKER

I have a similar problem on my 86SE. I have no spark and think it may be linked to my distributer or my coil. Take a look and see if thats the case. Good Luck!!

If it doesn't hold pressure, is going out tru the injectors or the cold valve.Also pinch the return hose and check pressure, if it hold is the regulator or maybe your pump hasn't enought pressure, going bad.Could be a restriction on the pump screen inside the tank.Keep checking.

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" My intention is to " give a different point of view ", not to offend in any way; peace."

Does your oil Pressure switch work? Im not sure, but I know that in lots of cars, if the Oil pressure switch is not working, then it will prime the fuel pump, and the car may start, as soon as the computer checks for oil pressure and doesnt find it it cuts the fuel off to prevent the car from siezing itself.

Once again, I dont know if that is the case here, I just know that some cars have this saftey built in.

Later; Rob

quote Originally posted by CaddyRob: Does your oil Pressure switch work? Im not sure, but I know that in lots of cars, if the Oil pressure switch is not working, then it will prime the fuel pump, and the car may start, as soon as the computer checks for oil pressure and doesnt find it it cuts the fuel off to prevent the car from siezing itself. Once again, I dont know if that is the case here, I just know that some cars have this saftey built in. Later; Rob

Not the case here.. On the Fiero, the oil pressure switch is a backup to the ecm/relay...if the ecm or relay fails, the pressure switch will turn on the fuel pump when pressure comes up from cranking. If the pressure switch fails, the ECM will keep the fuel pump running. Redundant backup kinda stuff.

HTH's...
Jeremy B.

Well, first off, I would like to thank everybody for thier suggestions on my little problem.

Unfourtunatly, I think that they are all wrong. (crosses fingers)

Big tip, Have a helper when you are working on a similiar problem.

I had my dad turn the key for me while I was under the car.

I had the fuel line off, looking for definate(sp?) fuel flow/pressure.
I had very little pressure ??? BUT! I did hear something odd in the fuel tank.

I hooked the fuel-line back up and had my dad turn the key to ON again, while listening to the fuel pump run.

I can hear fuel spraying against the side of the tank!!! It turns out that the little length of hose that connects the Fuel Pump to the metal line (inside the tank) is split just enough to let some fuel get up to the fuel rail, but no real pressure could build up.
That's why the engine would start for a second or so and then die.

Why is it always the little things?

I will be going to the store tomorrow to get the little hose and will let everybody know.

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by KlingonFiero (edited 10-01-2003).]

If it starts and runs for a short time, most likely the fuel pump relay is working. The relay simply primes the system then when the engine starts the power for the fuel pump is routed through the oil pressure switch. You can check for a bad switch by jumpering across the terminals on the wires going to the oil pressure switch. If that cures it you have a bad switch. If not I still would suspect you have a problem in that circuit.