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Just thinking out loud
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Close by
Posts: 6,885
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It's my turn!
I just wanted to let all of you know that I finally get to turn a wrench on my car. However, after 6 1/2 years, it still has yet to leave me stranded. This morning she would not fire. I haven't had an opportunity like this in quite sometime now! I wish it would have been a decent day (rainy, cold here) today and I didn't have finals tomorrow. I can't wait! I hope it's not something easy like the fuel pump or DME relay. Well, maybe I do, but I'm pretty damned excited anyway, and I'm not kidding! Right now, I haven't the foggiest idea what is wrong, but I have many ideas. I'll let you know what it was.
Feel free to guess away if you want to make some sort of game out of it. ![]()
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83 944 91 FJ80 84 Ram Charger (now gone) |
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Trying to work for parts!
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If you need a relay let me know I have a spare. Give us some hints though so we can make some fairly decent guesses.
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86 Metallic Grey 85.5 Metallic graphite - Gone |
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Just thinking out loud
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Close by
Posts: 6,885
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Alright, the battery isn't dead, it does turn over, it doesn't sound like a sewing machine, the tach bounces, the coil wire is plugged in, and it has gas. That's all I know right now. It could be the relay, but it didn't make any difference when I thumped it, not that it would, but it might have! I think it's fuel related, it's been taking a few extra rotations to get it to fire lately.
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83 944 91 FJ80 84 Ram Charger (now gone) |
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 7,781
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My guess (and it's just a guess): Fuel filter or fuel pump check valve.
You stated that it's been taking a few extra rotations to get it to fire lately. This is a sign of low fuel pressure. The fuel pump check valve is a valve (on the fuel pump) that prevents fuel pressure from "leaking down" after the engine is turned off. That way, fuel pressure is maintained even when the car is off and therefore the fuel pump won't have to pressurize the system before starting (as it will already be pressurized). However, this time it's not starting at all - maybe a clogged fuel filter? Start by checking for spark and then check for fuel, then fuel pressure - you'll figure it out eventually. Vern |
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Trying to work for parts!
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If it's been getting harder to crank over, is it a slow crank or cranking as usual? You could eliminate the relay by jumpering it by using the process on clarks.
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86 Metallic Grey 85.5 Metallic graphite - Gone |
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Just thinking out loud
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Close by
Posts: 6,885
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I've got a plan of attack and I appreciate the suggestions. Due to the colder climate, it has been cranking over more slowly. However, it's been taking longer (more revolutions) to fire lately, even when it hasn't been cold. Come to think of it, the other day after fueling it up, it imediately fired and died, then it fired right back up as it had been (slowly). I let it get pretty low, and I know that is not good for an electrical fuel pump, and if I toasted my pump, I can live with that. I know the pump has to be at least 17 years old. It might just be trash in the fuel filter, won't know until I investigate. I haven't looked at clarks in a long time but if I remember correctly, I jump 87 and 87b or some thing like that to test the relay. The diagram is on the side of it, and I know I can figure it out.
I'll guess that it takes me 10 minutes to figure out the problem and all day to drink beer and fix it. ![]() Thanks friends ![]()
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83 944 91 FJ80 84 Ram Charger (now gone) |
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Trying to work for parts!
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It could very well just be the filter. But what a ***** to replace if it's been in there a while.
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86 Metallic Grey 85.5 Metallic graphite - Gone |
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Just thinking out loud
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Close by
Posts: 6,885
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That's what the beer is for! It can't be that hard. However, shoe horning a transfer case, transmission and engine into a toyota and getting the exhaust to line up when you stab it, is hard.
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83 944 91 FJ80 84 Ram Charger (now gone) |
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In the Fires of Hell.....
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Okay, here's my guess...
Fuel pressure or damper dashpot. The diaphragms get old and crack, and you start getting gas into your vacuum system. Fuel pressure goes down, and it gets hard to start. Had this happen to my '88 951. Two new dashpots, and it is as good as new. Cheers, Keith
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PCA Instructor: '88 951S - with LBE, Guru chips, 3Bar FPR, 1.3mm shimmed WG, 3120 lbs, 256 RWHP, 15 psig boost |
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 624
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Good time to buy a fuel pressure gauge, heh?
--don't underestimate the trouble you might have with the fuel filter...man.
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1995 993C4 guards red 1988 944S alpine white |
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 7,781
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besides the fuel filter, there is a fuel screen in the bottom of the tank. This can be removed and cleaned - best to do this on a empty tank. You can find this on Clark's garage as well.
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Just thinking out loud
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Close by
Posts: 6,885
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Well damn! It must have gotten an attitude adjustment seeing the Land Cruiser hauling arse out yesterday and today. SOB fired right up. Smelled rich and stumbled a bit though. Something responded better from the change in weather me thinks. It was 38 F and raining yesterday morning and no go, but 51 and sunny now and all is fine. I don't think that the rain yesterday had anything to do with the problem though. All my electrics seemed dry, ref/speed sensors (at the connectors) are mega water proofed, the coil was dry, cap was dry and is not cracked, and the DME has no way of getting wet unless I submerge the car.
Intermittent DME relay is not my guess. I have no way of knowing whether the pump ran yesterday or not. I tried to listen, but I've got a sinus infection that is the worst I've ever had, and neither of my ears will pop. I can't hear for shyte. This would be a first for me, but the DME relay has been replaced since 1991. But it smelled rich today, and that leads me to believe it was getting fuel yesterday. Any of you guys out there with the early cars please answer me one question. When your radio antennae no long worked when the key was inserted, and sometime later the radio power was spotty on start up, did you find that your car would not start 5 years later? I know it's a $10 part, but I could always make the radio work, and never had an issue with a no start because of the plastic electrical part on the ignition switch. Anyone else? Time to go make it quit working again, will check back.
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83 944 91 FJ80 84 Ram Charger (now gone) Last edited by mattdavis11; 12-13-2007 at 01:50 PM.. |
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Custom User Title
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,954
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wow, never seen someone so excited to have a broken car
![]() It seems like you are itching to do some work on the car so here is what I recommend ![]() new plugs, fuel filter, air filter, change all the fluids, clean the interior and exterior. I think your car is looking for attention ![]() |
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Redline Racer
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,444
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...and timing belt! especially after 6 1/2 years!
And don't taunt the devil...that fuel filter is above and beyond one of the most miserable "simple jobs" ever if the fittings are rusted. Oh, and just for kicks, check the battery connections. Mine would intermittently cut out and die because of loose battery connections.
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1987 silver 924S made it to 225k mi! Sent to the big garage in the sky |
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Just thinking out loud
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Close by
Posts: 6,885
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I changed the timing and balance belts last summer. Those are two things I don't let go more than 3 years, ever. The other stuff has been done except for the fuel filter and transaxle fluid. It has been getting kinda notchy going into 2nd when it's below 50 F. Might be time to put some new amsoil in there, it has been a few years.
The car ran like a scalded ape yesterday. We shall see if it continues to behave.
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83 944 91 FJ80 84 Ram Charger (now gone) |
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 136
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I'll say! Definitely need to use crescent wrenches on those fittings.
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