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cuhulin

Hello all
My first post…an electrical challenge, I hope someone can help
figure this one out.
3400 Engine. This problem is intermittent. Sometimes (once every dozen
or so starts)
the engine turns over but doesn’t start. When this happens, I have
found out the following
so far;
– When I turn the ignition key to the ‘run ‘ position (where the
Powertrain Control Module is normally supposed to provide voltage to
the fuel pump relay to cause the pump to run for
about 2 seconds), the relay chatters very loudly and DOES NOT shut
off. The pump keeps
running even without turning the ignition swith all the way to start
the engine.
I did replace the relay with a new one and NO CHANGE in symptoms. I
still have no idea
why the relay would be getting this jittery signal voltage. It must be
a ‘jittery’ supply from the computer  because as the relay is
chattering away, the fuel pump is chattering due to the fluctuating
voltage as the relay goes off/on/off/on rapidly. I tried supplying a
nice smooth 12 volts straight from the battery to the grey wire if the
relay and voilla, the fuel pump immediately runs smooth. BUT, when I
then turn the ignition key to try to start the engine, it doesn’t
start.
Becuse the engine is actually starting for the time being, I cannot
test fuel pressure, spark under no-start condition.
I just read another post that mentions the oil pressure switch on some
GM’s supplies
power to the fuel pump (relay?). Not sure what THAT’S all about, but
maybe something wrong with this switch causing interfernce voltage?
The other head-scratcher is, why wouldn’t the engine start at these
times? The pump is running smooth. Thing is, at the moment the engine
is starting/ running fine. Actually, don’t know if it’s rlated, but
when I hooked up a fuel pressure gage to check pressure in the rail,
 the problem ..magically went away again…coincidence?  Maybe the
computer is having problems and sends weird voltage to the fuel relay
and NO VOLTAGE to actually run injectors/spark etc??

ANy ideas are greatly appreciated?
PS; sorry for the long-windedness
Ted

I have a feeling there is an exhaust leak putting fumes inside the cabin of
my ’94 Chevy S10.  It does seem to have a noticeable smell, although not
like antifreeze.

Isn’t there something I could pore into the engine while it is running which
would produce smoke at any leak location, like the exhaust manifold gaskets.

regards
Nadeem

1987 Towncar 5.0 L V8.  When I cranked the engine, the starter didn’t
disengage.  The starter continued to run and turn engine even after I
turned off ignition.

I tried to disconnect battery cables but with just pliers couldn’t turn
them.  The other end of the positive cable is attached to the starter
relay.   I turned the battery cable relay connecting nut about 1/2 turn
and the starter stopped cranking the engine.

The relay is mounted on the upper fender, not on the starter.

It was about 9 degrees F outside.  When I restarted it, it worked fine.
I let motor warm up and shut off engine and re-cranked engine about 7
times and it works fine every time.

So is the problem with the relay?  Or could some of the wires connected
to the relay been shorted out?  Or did  the starter just fail to retract
the starting gear?

The only thing I did to cause it to stop was turn the nut that connects
the battery cable to the relay.  In turning it 1/2 turn the other wires
connected to that terminal also moved.

If it was with the starter solenoid, then why did moving wire on relay
stop it?

I’ve got a 1992 Volkswagen Passat that will sometimes chug while in
any of the drive gears unless you’re going over a certain speed. It
makes a thrumming sound and you can feel it chug, sometimes enough to
make it stall. It does not do this in neutral for some reason.

I’ve checked for air leaks/problems in the fuel system and there
doesn’t seem to be any.

Any ideas?

Anna

ps…anyone know where to get interior trim parts for a 92 Passat?
This one is missing a few things like window/door handle trim.

Having never replaced a battery before, I decided it was time to give
it a shot.  I bought a new battery while I was visiting my folks and
put the battery in the trunk.  On the drive back down to my place, the
battery got turned onto its side, with the acid dripping out.  After
mopping up my trunk, I switched out the battery, which turned the
engine a couple times, but now it’s not working at all.  I’m sure I
need to add some distilled water, but will there still be enough
sulfuric acid to make the battery work?  I would guess that I lost
about a cup of fluid, maybe more.

based on carfax reports, is there any difference between salvage title/
rebuilt title/total loss?
any tips on buying such car?

I’m looking for some interior trim parts for my 2004 car, and I’d like
to get from junk yards.

I’m looking for comments/suggestions as to how/where to search for
junk yards online

thanks

A little background info is in order– I bought this car about 2 months
ago from a guy for $500 bucks. It’s silver and the body is in great
shape. However, whoever owned the car before him pulled all the fuel
injection system out of the car and custom mounted a Motorcraft single
barrel carb on the original intake manifold. Why? Damned if I know.
Because of the custom mount, the carb sits so high that there’s no room
for an air filter.

Anyway, car was running fine and I was doing a bunch of little repairs.
I plan to put a new Weber conversion kit on the car soon to replace the
Motorcraft (which supplies the car with WAY too rich a mixture as I
think it is from an early eighties ford ranger). The car stopped
running recently and I can’t get it started.

When I turn the ignition, the engine turns over, but won’t start. If I
give it any gas at all, the carburetor spits back and sometimes shoots
flames. Just to be sure the electrical was ok (I was fairly sure, since
it’s spitting flames) I pulled the plug wires and had someone crank the
engine so I could see if they’d arc. They did. One shocked the shit out
of me.

The spark plugs I replaced 2 months ago are already covered in carbon.
I cleaned them and re-installed them and nothing changed. The
carburetor seems to be operating as usual, but I pulled it off and
dissassembled it. Accellerator pump works ok, jet sprays, float is
working and was full. The fuel pump is working.

I mean, I guess all of that should be obvious– apparently the
accellerator pump is flooding the intake manifold and the plugs are
igniting the fuel.

*Should I be worried about low compression? I don’t have a pressure
checker.
*Could this be a timing problem? Should I see if the timing belt broke?

Any other suggestions?

http://www.newscientist.com/blog/technology/2007/01/machine-munches-b…

(once there, click on the "check out this close up" link)