82 is running again, but has new problems unrelated to voltage stabilizer.

[Maleficio]

Right now I'm focusing on running loads of small tests to accumulate as much odd data that I can. I have no care to get the car running right now. I want to drag a fine-toothed comb across the systems and refine them all, then worry about final operation. Thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated.

[Maleficio]

I wished the schematics were similar to what I'm used to: Hornets, in which the entire system is laid out in one long schematic.

These are broken apart, linked only by power supply lines. I feel I could move so much faster if they were laid out like Hornet schematics.

[Maleficio]

I'm accustommed to studying a schematic, and efficiently pointing a gun at a possibly failed part and being right the first time. I find myself wrong at every turn. But it's a challenge that I need.

[Maleficio]

I was reading a thread on Bannlist today about my exact problem. Three sharks were healed within that thread, and all by a failed injector relay. My relay is solid. A relay couldn't be more simple: a coil circuit, and a power circuit.

My problem emulates a bad relay problem perfectly, but the issues lie elsewhere.

[Maleficio]

I'm looking at the ignition switch as an obvious culprit, robbing voltage from the injector circuit, over-riding the control unit's control.

But whenthe car was running, the intermittent cuts in fuel flow indicate a broken wire moreso than high resistance. Nonetheless, a new switch is required.

[Maleficio]

I remember when you guys were talking me into buying this car, you said the issues were 75% electrical. You were right. And I feel right at home.

[Landseer]

Don't even bother continuing with measurements. Its all wrong until you clean.

[JhwShark]

Originally Posted by Landseer

Don't even bother continuing with measurements. Its all wrong until you clean.

+1...start with the W plug, the related contacts at the Control Unit (CU), sensors, the FP and FI relay paths. And confirm the Alarm is properly connected or dis-connected.

Since you have good/persistent 12v at 87 of FI relay a key problem is in the other side of the Injectors which come from the CU and prior to CU the sensors or between Plug W(2-5) from 87 (FI).

[Maleficio]

Here's a nice writeup on how the fuel pressure regulator works:

The regulator's job is to keep the pressure in the fuel system to a constant psi. Id does this with the spring-loaded diaphragm that controls a valve. The valve, when opened by excessive pressure in the fuel lines, uncovers a fuel line that returns excess fuel to the fuel tank. The vacuum connection is there to help reduce emissions during deceleration. During deceleration, the vacuum connection serves to open the fuel return valve wider, which reduces pressure in the system and prevents excess hydrocarbon emissions due to less fuel being injected as a result of the lower pressure in the system. This is very nicely designed device in that it provedes for an automatic self-adjusting pressure regulator and emissions control device all rolled into one. The simplicity of the design also contributes to it's reliability.

[neil30076]

I've lost track here, we are talking L-Jet - it is not such a difficult system to troubleshoot - but you need to get back to basics and start over - you are hitting so many different areas you will never figure it out - listen to Chris ( Landseer) and get the grounds sorted, then get into the FI. Don't worry about the functional description of how the regulator, works. Get the electrical side right first then the fuel, the the spark - and you may have a shot at getting this running before winter sets in.
If Chris, or I or many others were close enough to you we could have you running in a day or so, I believe ( at current shop rates, of course :-)

[Maleficio]

I'm researching and learning as much as I can while it's still freaking cold as hell outside. When it FINALLY starts to warm up I can get serious about going through the car. I am so sick of winter!

[neil30076]

Where exactly is 'your hell' must be way north !
PM me and i'll send you the Bosch manual on the L-jet - may help you out.
Neil

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by neil30076

Where exactly is 'your hell' must be way north !
PM me and i'll send you the Bosch manual on the L-jet - may help you out.
Neil

I'm in Virginia Beach. I have to do all my work on the car outside.

Do you have an electronic copy of the Bosch manual?

[neil30076]

Ha, my daughter is moving up to Yorktown in May, with her 84 Euro! I'll be bringing it up there. from South Carolina.
Yes, I have an electronic copy, pm me your email and i'll send it to you.
Neil

[lfausty]

Ha ha with it sooooo cold out , its like you post for a answer so you can run right out there and fix , just cant stay out there very long, ive gone from 3sec of death at a time jan/feb. and now march 15 minutes. when you can really move around when warmer you tend to want to dig in and can dig in you solve alot of issues but soooo cold out now, New Hampshire.

I wouldnt rule out the fuel injector relay its completely possible that you need a new another one and another new one. And when you start the car move the finj relay up down side different positions. I got my ice scraper as arm extension to start it. And when you pull the ce panel forward the long green wire? on left can get pulled out along with pliers in that area push any back onto pins if loose. if you follow finj relay one of the leads spaghettis through to the left bottom of panel.

Speaking of cold , the pcar is also , i say, you get alot of symptoms when cold that just simply arent there when warm season gets here. i think the pcar just fakes it and wants somebody out there to cuddle with her in the cold. lol.

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by lfausty

Ha ha with it sooooo cold out , its like you post for a answer so you can run right out there and fix , just cant stay out there very long, ive gone from 3sec of death at a time jan/feb. and now march 15 minutes. when you can really move around when warmer you tend to want to dig in and can dig in you solve alot of issues but soooo cold out now, New Hampshire.

I wouldnt rule out the fuel injector relay its completely possible that you need a new another one and another new one. And when you start the car move the finj relay up down side different positions. I got my ice scraper as arm extension to start it. And when you pull the ce panel forward the long green wire? on left can get pulled out along with pliers in that area push any back onto pins if loose. if you follow finj relay one of the leads spaghettis through to the left bottom of panel.

Speaking of cold , the pcar is also , i say, you get alot of symptoms when cold that just simply arent there when warm season gets here. i think the pcar just fakes it and wants somebody out there to cuddle with her in the cold. lol.

Thanks, Fausty.

[Maleficio]

I honestly do think my ignition switch is the main culprit. I will continue to clean grounds, etc.

The cold start valve is powered by the battery, and it works, which is why the engine tries to light off, but can't run because the injectors are not powered up.

[Landseer]

The cold start valve is driven via a known-to-fail block thermoswitch located on the passenger side of the front of the water bridge or block. If it fails, it floods the car. It will allow the car to start and run usually flawlessly until it gets, say cool below 50 or so and then it causes trouble.

Replace, preemptively if your values allow it.

[Maleficio]

Chris, that switch has a transistor in it, I don't know how to read it. But you're right, it's probably bad, too.

[Landseer]

The best-bet money in these is replacing sensors and wear parts, and the time investment in the systematic cleaning of electrical.

I've worked trying to make sense of things, but realize I never will. It doesn't matter whether A, B, C, D or E is causing the problem on a 29 year old car. Replace them all if possible, because if its A this week, it'll be C & E next week.

Go thru the lists that we and the guys before us have empirically identified as wear parts or causes. Its the easiest answer and ultimately the most economical.

Yes, I'm pissed that I don't know the root cause. On the other hand, I seem to have headed-off so much stuff that others complain about.

Not an expert, just an adapter. Keeping 5 running everyday has been an experience.