car left me stranded, where to start

[aschen]

I got to enjoy a ride home from the cab of a flatbed the other day.

Story:

I was late for work so I pulled off to the side of the road to participate in a conference call. I left the car idleing as it was pretty cold out the temp never went to even the 3rd bar. After about 1/2 hr on the phone I took off as the car started to hesitate and then just died. I managed to get it started a few time after a long time cranking but it idled really poorly, backfired and died. I think I smelled unburnt fuel but I am not sure. I am thinking maybe an ignition problem?

Could anybody help an inexperinced mechanic, by giving some advice on what to check? My speedo has been really irratic lately which I have read could be some sort of electrical problem? sometimes it reads about 100mph when just cruizing down the highway at around 70.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

[Akila]

I think fuel pump. The speedo may be a separate issue.

[A930Rocket]

Check the sticky above on why my car won't start. It covers that and rough running.

That said, check your voltage at the battery to see if your alternator is putting out correct voltage.

[BlkBird]

Mine was a defective electrical relay controlling the fuel pumps. That being said, it would not explain your speedo issues. I'd look at your voltage regulator for that one.