What the heck?

[Konradical]

Hey so I have been having fun with my 89 for the past year or so regarding random no starts. I did all the spark, fuel, wiring, compression, blah blah blah and on three of the four occasions that it has happened, I thought that maybe the fuel pump was on its way. But after a fuel filter change, it started straight up. I have drained and flushed the tank, lines and changed where I get my fuel from.

That was until a month ago.. I reversed it up the driveway to hook up the trailer, turned it off, ginned around for ten minutes then went to leave and no go! I managed to get the hefty girl down the driveway, slightly onto the lawn and took the D4. Well after a week I needed to mow, so I jumped in a she started straight up!

Then later that day, nothing. And it has been nothing for a couple of weeks while I spend my 20mins a day trying to work it out. So I got to play a bit today and it's all a bit weird. I can jump the fuel pump relay and it pumps away, both fuel flow and sounds. But she still won't start. Heaps of spark, so much in fact, if there​ were any more, it would weld something! So anyway, after some messing around including bypassing the filter(not good I know), I now know it's the fuel pump.

What's weird is that I removed my jump wire from the pump relay thinking maybe it's a bit flooded and clear the plugs a bit, then POW, she starts and runs. A little rough but still goes.

Confused I put the jump wire back in and it straight out stops. Remove, it starts again. Put relay back in, stops. What the heck?

I have followed all the diagrams on the rave CD and the only thing that would allow it to run was removing the fuel pump fuse.

So how is this thing running if there is no pump to supply fuel???

I plan on replacing the pump and adding a load resistor and adjustable regulator, winding it up and making the 28 year old injectors earn their keep. This will hopefully go in hand with the awesome spark and I will get some efficiency out of her.

So, any thoughts on the fuel thing?

[DoubleChevron]

the fuel pump fuse (at least on the 92 model ) is under the drivers seat (yeah, guess how I know this :( ). With it removed you will certainly have a car that will refuse to run. The fuse is only 5amps ... so if your pump is tired it maybe a molten mess. I'd suggest checking it's not burnt (so has intermittant connection). It would probably pay to click the shock switch (under the passenger seat) on and off a few times... to make sure it's not slightly "almost" engaged.

Sounds electrical to me. The fuel pump was so weak in mine I couldn't use more than 1/8th throttle or 3000rpm ... but it still started and idled fine on petrol.

seeya,
Shane L.

[bblaze]

check your earths on the bottom of the bell housing
cheers
blaze

[Mercguy]

Also check the connector for the fuel pump - Mine was located on the passenger side just above the tank next to the chassis rail - easy to get to - surprisingly! I replaced my pump with a complete unit, and ever since then the stupid bloody gauge in the dash doesn't give the correct level.

[Konradical]

Just to update this thread, after having the rangie running only without the fuel pump hooked up, I finally got round to replacing the pump in the tank.

The plug on the actual pump body had looked like it was a little melted, which was probably caused by the pump dying.

I also pulled the original fuel Reg off and fitted a adjustable rising rate reg then adjusted it to about 40psi.

Turned the key and it fired right up!

Once I finish replacing the heater core, Il give it another tune and see how it goes then.