I have a 91 rs w/ 305 TBI, 120k on car, everything stock. My car wont run for more then 1 second. If i spray ether in the TB it will run fine so i have narrowed it down to a fuel delivery problem. I put a new fuel filter and released tank pressure and i still have the same problem (and yes i have plenty of gas). I took the soft fuel line apart up behind the alternator to see what kind of pressure i have. When i start the car it will slowly (couple of psi)pour out a table spoon then stop. I dont have a fuel pressure gauge, but i can tell that it is only a few psi. How much fuel pressure should i have there? Does this mean that my fuel pump is bad? Is there any kind of fuel safety device (like oil pressure switch) that will cut the fuel pump off? I have yet to check my relays(where are they?) and the fuel pump fuse is fine. ANY help will be greatly appreciated. If you have any ideas post them because it will help me run ideas around in my head. THANKS

 

check your fuel pump definately.listen for a buzzing sound at the rear of your car,if you don`t hear one then that could be it.do a search you should be able to find what you`re looking for.

 

I believe that the fuel pump relay is located on the drivers side above the brake booster on the firewall. There are two relays side by side. I'm not sure which one is the fuel pump relay. You could try tapping on both of them and see if that helps or pull them out and see if the terminals are corroded.

 

First thing I would do is listen for the fuel pump. When you turn the key to accessories (or KOEO, key on engine off), listen for a whirring or buzzing noise coming towards the rear of the car for about 2 seconds. If that checks out, than check the fuel pump relay. John Darragh is correct on the location, on the driver's side firewall in between the brake booster and the inner fender. The fuel pump relay is the one closest to the brake booster (the other relay is the coolant fan relay). Try swapping those 2 relays and see if the engine runs, since the relays are the same.

Next thing to do is check fuel pressure. You should be able to get a fuel pressure gauge at any auto parts store. Actron makes one for $40 and is called a "TBI Fuel Pressure Tester". You need a special FP gauge since TBIs don't use shraeder valves like other fuel injection systems. That tester comes with a special fitting that installs in between the hard metal line and the rubber line under the hood. Fuel pressure should be 9-13 PSI.

I would also double-check and make sure that the fuel filter is not installed backwards. That can cause some odd problems. I would also get someone else to try cranking the engine while you tap on the injectors or injector pod with a wrench (or something similar). You didn't mention it or not, but sometimes when these cars sit for a while, sometimes the injectors get clogged and the pintles get stuck. Usually when you crank the engine and tap on the injectors, that is enough to unclog the injector and allow the pintle to move again.

 

When I turn the key to accessories i get no buzzing sound. I am familiar with this sound because my moms astro van does it. I have owned the car for 2 years, and i have never heard the fuel pump prime. Is it normal not to hear it or is mine just "quiet"? What are the chances I have been driving around for 2 years with a bad fuel pump? When it was running, i could push the pedal to the floor and it would hit 5k with no problem. If it was a bad pump wouldn't the engine die with lots of throttle? Oh yea, it was running fine just before it died.