PDA

View Full Version : Another "car won't start" story... Input?

WaKeMaN
05-23-2003, 12:32 PM
Hey all,

Thought I'd get some opinions before I get it towed to the shop. I did a search but no one I found had quite the same situation.

I'll set the scene. This morning the car started perfectly, and ran fine. I was on the highway (65 ish) and was getting off an exit ramp. Had to slow down real quick because of construction at the end of the ramp. I was idling at a slight negative incline when the car bucked slightly, went back to normal, bucked slightly again and then died. When I tried to start it when traffic started moving again, no go. It turned over like a champ, but didn't fire. I tried listening for the fuel pump, but I couldn't here it over the passing cars and swearing drivers that I was impeding.

I'm guessing it's either a freak timing thing or a bad fuel pump. Any suggestions? Car's a 97 SE 5spd. with 78,000 miles.

Thanks folks.
kalieaire
05-23-2003, 01:27 PM
if you left it at the offramp, tow it to somewhere.
Tyler Durdan
05-23-2003, 01:33 PM
Pull the line leaving the fuel filter and try to crank it over. If your not getting proper fuel through the filter, it could be the filter. Make sure to pull the line leading into the fuel filter first. If your not getting fuel there, it's more than likely the fuel pump. You will need a stubby type screwdriver for the line clamps. Tight fit with the intake manifold and the screw clamps. Make sure you crank it at least a couple of times to get the fuel out of the lines. If it's not giving fuel constantly...it's more than likely one or the other.
WaKeMaN
05-23-2003, 02:38 PM
if you left it at the offramp, tow it to somewhere.

It's been towed to campus where I was only a mile away from when it quit on me. I'm going to get it towed to the shop tonight.

If it's not giving fuel constantly...it's more than likely one or the other.

Thanks for the input. I would've thought a bad fuel filter would give reduced performance before just quitting on me though. The car was running fine with no hint of what was in store for me. So as of right now you've reinforced the fuel pump theory. Thanks.