Engine stuttered, stalled, stranded

[Moke81]

Sun. 12:00 a.m. going to the hotel after an evening out, my 1981 SC ran fine all weekend long then it happened. First the engine stuttered, lost power, then stalled. I tried to start it and it almost turned over, but did not. Then it wouldn't start at all. It does crank. I kept trying to crank it, with no luck. I'm thinking it might be the fuel pump because when turning the ignition key, I can usually hear the fuel the pump run ... but I did not hear a thing. That's my only thought about what is wrong. Anyone out there who has had this problem? or know what it could be?

[Mike Kast]

If your sure the fuel pump is not pumping first check the relay. Do you know how old the pump is?

[fred cook]

Step #1: Check the fuel pump relay fuse in the main fuse box. They have a tendency to overheat and cause the fuse holder to lose tension or corrode and build up resistance. Look inside the fuse cover to determine which fuse you are looking for.

Step #2: Take one of the black relays and swap it with the red relay. If the fuel pump relay is bad, swapping the relays will get you back on the road. Just be sure to buy a new relay as soon as possible.

Step #3: Put the car up on a lift and remove the tray under the front of the car. You will then be able to see the fuel pump. Using two pieces of 10 or 12 guage wire, connect the fuel pump directly to the battery to see if the pump is defective.

Actually, I'm putting my $$$ on the fuel pump relay fuse (#1). I had the same problem with my '80 SC and the fuse turned out to be the culprit!

Good Luck!

Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

One other question, what type of Ignition box do you have?

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by Barclay
Sun. 12:00 a.m. going to the hotel after an evening out, my 1981 SC ran fine all weekend long then it happened. First the engine stuttered, lost power, then stalled. I tried to start it and it almost turned over, but did not. Then it wouldn't start at all. It does crank. I kept trying to crank it, with no luck. I'm thinking it might be the fuel pump because when turning the ignition key, I can usually hear the fuel the pump run ... but I did not hear a thing. That's my only thought about what is wrong. Anyone out there who has had this problem? or know what it could be?

If you have an 81, have you tried the "open the air box and press up on the airflap trick"? If you hear the injectors scream, the fuel pump is working.

I had a similar problem, turned out I was getting only weak spark because my coil wire got loose and then the coil self destructed.

[Mark sP]

I also suffered the bad fuse problem. Don't be fooled by the fuse looking OK. Mine looked OK. Actually remove it, clean the holder tabs and insert a new one.

[Moke81]

Ok, checked relay and replaced fuse I'm a bit confused because on the inside of the fuse cover it tells you what each fuse is, it says that the fuel pump fuse is 6 The Bentley shows it's 16 which one is it

[Early_S_Man]

Spec book says #16 ... 25 Amp fuse.

Be sure to check the fuel pump relay socket with a bright flashlight ... to see if bubbled from overheating, contacts are corroded, or overheated and carbon-tracked!

[Moke81]

checked relay socket looks clean. I can feel the relay clicking when turning the ignition.

[VaSteve]

Try this. Turn key to "on" Open airbox and press up on airflap for about 5 seconds. You should hear the fuel injectors squeal. If you don't your Fuel Pump is bad.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Might it not be spark related, not fuel?

Of course, mine started out as a fuel issue. When I fixed that, the ignition box/coil went out.

[Moke81]

I have another test and that is to lift up the airflap but I still think it's the fuel pump past records shows it has never been changed.

[Mike Kast]

Be warned Mr. Barclay,
When I removed my belly pan to change the fuel pump I found the tie rod boots were deteriorated. It turned into a complete front suspention replacement.
One old pump...