When I bought the car a couple years ago, it had been sitting for years. I drove it for a while after, and nothing appeared wrong.

Then, it began surging and dying at random, acting like the fuel/air mixture was totally off. Almost like it was out of fuel, except there was always ample fuel in supply. This happened indiscriminately of fuel level, or time spent driving prior to the failures. The check engine light would come on, but never at an opportunity where I could read it. I have never used a code reader before either. After sitting for maybe an hour or two, the car would start again, and run normally.

Yesterday, I started the car, it seemed a little lacking in power, but barely noticable. I drove it across town to a smog shop, and once I shut it off there, it simply would not start from that point on.

It starts on starting fluid, but the injectors are not supplying fuel. I am getting adequate pressure from the pump, and I replaced the filter today, and still no change. I disconnected the o2 sensor, and no change (thinking it would run off a default air/fuel ratio without the data from the O2 sensor).

I'm not sure what to try now. I am not a mechanic (obviously) but I am technically inclined.

 

Okay, I've checked a few things, and I have determined that it could be an electrical issue. I checked the power to the injectors, and it has it's 12 volts. The ECU and fuel pump power supply fuse is good, and has power running through it...

I'm beginning to wonder if the injectors aren't firing because the MAP sensor isn't working properly. Since this vehicle has no crankshaft position sensor, SOMETHING has to tell the ECU that the engine is turning over. I've checked the vacuum lines from the block to the sensor and from the throttle body to the sensor, and they seem to be in good enough condition to hold vacuum. The connector looks good.

Is there any way to test the MAP sensor, or will I have to buy a replacement? Also, does it sound like i'm on the right track, or am I completely off course?

 

It really sounds like its the fuel pump. My car did the same stuff. Run the codes first, and change fuel filter. You can run codes without a reader. You can use the paperclip method.

 

When possible, also check your egr valve as it is a root cause for surging idle conditions. Before purchasing one be sure to take your old one with you so that the new one matches the numbers of the old one.

 

I tested the fuel pump, and it appears that it is functioning properly.

I will research the paperclip method, and report what I find.

 

The EGR valve couldn't possibly be responsible for the injectors not firing, but thank you, I will look into the possibility that the EGR valve is what is causing the surging during operation, although the problem seems a bit violent to be exhaust recirculation gasses.

I'm going to test the pickup in the distributor and see if it's lost a ground connection.