The car is a 1985 2.5 4 cyl fiero. The engine is fresh (1/2 hour running time.) after initial installation, it started right up, timing is set @ 8 BTC. right after I put it in, it started right up & ran decent. NOW, after leaving it overnight, it turns over fine, but will not fire up. it HAS SPARK, It took 4 shots of quick start to get it running. after it started, it runs fine , & will restart just fine. but 3 days in a row , it has not wanted to start altogether without ETHER, it's not out of gas because it will continue to run just fine ONCE IT DOES start. I know theres no cold start injector on a 4 cyl, so what can it be ??? yesterday when I went to start it, it DID start, but ran like it was running on 2 cylinders for about a minute, Then ran fine. today it didn't want to start at all, but once it did, it Runs Fine. What am I missing here ?? Thanks

This car is going to be my wifes everyday work car, so it HAS TO START FIRST TIME EVERY TIME. are ther any modifications that I can make to it to make sure this happens ?? Thanks

Sounds like you're losing fuel line pressure when the engine is shut off. What's your fuel pressure like, and does it hold pressure when the engine is shut off?

Can't SAY what the pressure actually IS, It has a brand new Pump,new sock, new Filter, & new gas. it has no schrader valve to hook a gauge up to.

I'd check your coolant temp sensor is connected and working. You can at least check it with an ohm meter per the table.
Then check your map sensor is working. When you turn the key on without starting the engine the middle wire should have about
4V measured to ground. If you can pull a vacuum on the port it should drop the voltage.

[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 10-08-2008).]

does the fuel pump run when the engine isnt running but key on it sounds like
you need the injector primed every time. check fuel pressure. and how long does it take to
run down

I went out today & turned the key ON, let the pump run it's 3 seconds, shut it off, turn it on again,.. 4 times, then it started, idled a little rough, I revved it & it smoothed out & ran ok. shut it off , & it started & ran fine. WHY would turning the key on Just ONCE , NOT be enough to fully prime the system ????

Wonder if you have a split in the connector hose in the tank. You might need to check your fuel pressure. You should be running 10-12psi at the TB otherwise your could have problems. Once the pressure get to 8psi or below they just don't run very well.
Unfortunately on the 4's you have to T in a gauge.

[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 10-09-2008).]

Probably something is wrong that is letting the fuel drain back into the tank, so there is nothing but air in the lines. The pump has to prime itself, then start moving fuel, then go up to the engine bay, up the firewall, around the side, over to the TB, fill up... umm whatever is there (Not a duke man), then get to the regulator before it even makes 1psi.

Thats exactly what I was going to reccomend, glad you at least pinned down the problem. As for the cause, could be a bad check valve in the pump, or a hole somewhere in the system, or a leaky pulsator (that thing that connects the pump to the hard line.