Sounds weird, huh? But it's true. A couple of days ago, the car wouldnt start it would crank, sometimes real slow like it doesn't have enough juice, other times, it cranks normal. however, i can't hear the fuel pump priming. I removed the air cleaner lid and had someone crank it. The injectors aren't shooting any fuel. If I spray some STP TBI cleaner, she'll start right up and run perfectly fine. Anyone have an idea as to what is keeping her from starting on her own? I don't think it could be the fuel pump because it wouldn't run after starting, right? Thanks!

 

sounds like the pump to me.

 

Since you aren't getting any fuel, it wont run. When you spray the cleaner in, the engine is running on the cleaner, ie using it as its fuel.

I agree, its the fuel pump, or a wire related to it.

 

could it possibly be a weak pump? cuz after i shoot the cleanerinto the tb, it runs and drives good. it's been about 2 years since i changed the pump. I did use a new filter and strainer. what a pain in the derrier that was thanks for the input.

 

Yes that is exactly what it is. If it will only run when you spray the cleaner in there than that means it isnt getting any fuel and the cleaner is acting as a temporary source of fuel. Your pump is most likely fried. Time to drop the tank.

 

Are you saying that you spray cleaner in, get the engine running, and then it continues to run w/o the cleaner??

"cuz after i shoot the cleanerinto the tb, it runs and drives good"

??
If this is the case, then you have a bad Fuel pump relay, and not a bad pump.

 

I like your suggestion better Tom 400 CFI

But that is correct, it only uses the cleaner to start up. Once it gets started, it runs on it's own. Is there some type of test I can do to determine if the pump relay is bad?? Or should I just replace it and see what happens?

 

Replace that relay. The pump is (finally) being activated by the oil pressure from the engine starting. That you don't hear the pump when you turn the key on, but then it runs fine once you get it running (and have oil pressure), shows that your pump is fine. It's the relay. I'm sure glad you didn't drop the tank for nothing!

 

your explanation makes alotta sense Tom...the relay is only $10 bucks at O'Reilly. I'll swap it out and post back with results.

jejejeje...Damn straight I wasn't going to drop the fuel tank for nothing!:P

Thanks for your help, man

 

No results? I've got a similar problem... but I don't know if the relay fixed your prob... although I ASSuME that it did since you haven't posted back...