73 2.0 won't start

[andyu911]

Need help here too guys!
The car's been running normal, well, with random stumble before this happened. One afternoon, I was warming up the car. It ran less than a minute and died all the sudden. First, I check the relays and they are OK. Check the sparks and OK, too. Fuel pump was not running and I "jumped" the fuel pump relay on the relay board. Fuel pump ran, but the car still would't start. I have replaced the relay board from my parts car with good relays on. Still, fuel pump doesn't work. I tried starting fuel and it did start up fine.
I know there are more reasons the car won't start, but first I think I need to solve the fuel pump mystery.
Thanks in advance!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Check the fuses on the relay board. They power the fuel pump and the FI. Check the grounds at the back of the engine.

--DD

[captjm]

I just had this problem after adjusting the valves. Valves had nothing to do with it. After some trouble shooting-- i.e. spark? yes.. getting gas? uh not really. So I dribbled some fuel in the air intake while trying to start and wala, it started and quickly died. this indicated a fuel problem. Thinking it maybe the fuel injection computer, I checked all wires and connectors and discovered I nocked loose the fuel injection harness plug that goes to the distributor. hooked it back up and it runs great. Good luck

[andyu911]

Thanks for your advice!
I went to the garage this morning continue to tackle the problem. I checked the fuse. They are fine, but I sanded the contacts anyway. Tried to start, no luck. Then, I swapped the ECU with my spare one. Hmmm... While I tried to plug the spare one on, NOW I realized it does take some aimming and alignment to plug it right. I'm so used to play with my '87 DME. Plugging in the main is a no brainer. OK, this time I properly plugged in the main. I turned the key. Bingo. The fuel pump ran. Still, the car won't start. But hey, at least I got the fuel pump running again.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

OK, now check to make sure you have fuel, and air (or compression), and spark all going into the motor. If one is missing, troubleshoot in that direction.

--DD

[andyu911]

The search continues...
Just borrowed a fuel pressure tester last weekend. I plugged the tester at fuel rail. Turned the key, fuel pump ran but no pressure. I tried to adjust the regulator but no reponse at all. Then I took the tester off with the fuel rail opened to a catch can, turned the key again and there's a good amount of fuel ran out. I suspected the fuel pump is shot. Any suggestion?

[robinaube]

If you have low fuel pressure, you either have a bad fuel pump, a clogged line or a bad pressure regulator. I would test each.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Often you don't get a whole lot of pressure in that little 1.5 second "buzz" of the pump. Try cranking the starter, or jumpering the fuel pump relay to force the pump to run continuously. You should see 29 PSI on your fuel pressure gauge when you do that.

--DD

[andyu911]

Dave, I did jump the relay and had it ran for a while, but still no pressure. The gauage didn't even move a bit. The gauage is good, in case you ask, cause I tested it on other car.
Another question, how many types of fuel filter for 914? Instead of the "box" type, I just found that I had a round and half-transparent type.
Thanks to all!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

That's a low-pressure carb-type fuel filter. Not suitable for the pressures and flow amounts that our fuel systems need! You ought to get the "box" type--it is possible that you have just found your problem...

--DD