Ulf

I already searched the archives, and I think it's probably fuel related, but this is what happened:
wife was driving the car, it stalled on her, she was able to restart, drive to her work (5 mins or so) she parks it there and now it won't start at all. It cranks, but doesn't fire up. I checked for spark and got one on all cylinders. Now, I can't hear the fuel pump when I turn on the ignition.... so, maybe it's the fuel pump relay. How do I check that? I read in the archives about jumpering out the relay. How would I do that?? What kind of wire would I use - is 10 or 12 ga. ok? Also, can I drive the car for a short distance with the relay jumpered like that?

TIA for any input!! - oh the car's an '86 4kcsq

Evilclown

First, make a jumper wire. 12ga should be fine, just cut a short length of it(long enough to double back on itself) and attach some small male spade connectors. Pull the relay, and run the wire between the two largest terminals in that spot on the relay panel. If the pump runs and the car starts, there's your solution. The car will run and drive fine with the wire in, but it's best to replace the relay ASAP if that's the problem.

fla864kcsq

the relay for the A/C clutch is rated for the same amperage as the fuel pump, several times i have gotten my friends cars to start by swaping the fuel pump relay with the A/C relay.

Ulf

thanks! that's what I needed to hear - can't wait to try it now.

Ulf

Could it be the fuel pump going bad and drawing too much current for the relay to handle?

Evilclown

Other things can cause it too(faulty wiring, etc), but usually not a bad pump

AlexGreen

I can't remember off-hand the number of the relay in question, but i think it's either 12 or 13. If i remember correctly, it was 5-prong relay, and the fix for me was to open it up and sand the contacts. You should be able to pick out the right relay by smell anyways. If there's a bad contact inside, you will smell a distinct burnt electronics smell comming from it. To be safe, just pull them all out one by one and check for smell.
Hope that helps you.

Ulf

jumpered the relay and the motor started right up. I also bought a new relay, which I'll put in after I install my spare fuel pump. The pump that's in the car is a bit tired after 221k miles. Again, thanks for the help to all.