Car Turns But Doesn't Start

[SuperSleeper]

So jpretz's car isn't starting. First found that the fuel pump doesn't turn on when he turns the car on. (And he heard a sound like the pump killing itself when it died, so we thought it was bad) But upon running power directly to the pump, the pump turns freely. So tear the dash up and take the ECU and MFI relay out (he has EPROM! :bounce: ) Discover there's lack of continuity (or continuity--don't remember which) in one side of the relay. So it's toast. Going to replace that today, but wondering if there's anything else we should look for in the meantime... Just wanna make sure we aren't lookin over anything, cuz if this isn't what's wrong, I'm stumped.

[npaulseth]

How do you know it's EPROM?

[A//// Guy]

Might want to replace the ECU caps while you have it out. That can cause starting problems.

[john]

Check timing, spark, and fuel.

[1QUICK4]

Did it turn over abnormaly fast? Did it sound higher pitched than normal while cranking?

[jpretz]

This is Dane:
Know it's EPROM because I opened up the ECU and saw the chip. I'm being led to believe it may potentially be the ECU that's bad. I gotta go take it back out to smell for rotten fish.

I still have to check for spark, but the valve that came on the fuel filter sprays not an ounce of fuel. So it clearly doesn't have that.

It cranks about normal speed--but I guess it'd help to hear how a normal car cranks over to compare.

Anyway, as you may have assumed, replacing the MFI relay didn't solve the problem. When I apply power directly to the fuel pump harness in the hatch, it spins. But when I apply power to the check terminal in the engine bay, it doesn't. So there's clearly a break in the line somewhere...

[A//// Guy]

My ECU didnt smell and it was close to junk. Replace the caps anyway if they havent been done. They will go bad no matter what.

Also if you have any clicking behind the dahs and under the hood while cranking thats a sure sign of an ECU problem.

[SuperSleeper]

Didn't hear any clicking. We tried starting it, and got a couple quick pops of exhaust, but that was it. Tried it another time, and got a very loud pop. Don't know if it was combustion or not... (sure hope it was)

Anyway, probably will replace the caps soon. Guesstimate on cost for that, and where to go?

The MFI harness had power at two places when key was at the "on" position, and power at one position when it was off. I really don't know if that's how it's supposed to be, but at least it has power to that point. So it's somowhere between the ECU and the fuel pump....

Any other suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

[niterydr]

If the signal is leaving the ecu to the mpi relay, usually the ecu is fine. Replacing the caps is a very good preventive measure however.

[tsiawdspeed]

After seeing the car, I would say that the when the starter turns over, it seems faster and more high pitched but the speed is actually slower. The battery does have 12 volts so its not dead. I don't really know what else could be causing the problem.