96 850R no fuel/no spark

e13h · Post by **e13h** » 09 Jan 2023, 20:24

Picked up a 1996 850R that had been sitting for a couple of years after the PO ran into issues with non-start condition. Found that the wires to the Fuel Injection Relay by the fan shroud were disintegrating into the connector so I pulled them out of the plastic and ran the female ends straight to the male ends and had everything running well. Made some small five minute drives around in it with no issues, but the first time I attempted to take it out of the neighborhood it dies on me while driving. Back to no fuel/no spark. Fuel injection relay seemed to be working as the IACV was humming with the key in position two, and to double-check swapped it with a known good relay to no avail. Checked the Cam sensor and ECU and neither of those were the issue either. Threw a new battery into today and while I had the key in position 2 I bumped the fuel injection relay and heard the injectors pulse. Had a spurt of fuel pressure at the rail but can't for the life of me figure out how what happened as I can't replicate it. Not quite sure how to interpret that in a way that would point me in a direction to troubleshoot the next thing.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 09 Jan 2023, 20:30

Check the spark plugs... Are they wet? Are they in spec?

Post by **abscate** » 09 Jan 2023, 23:40

If it was sitting it might have bad munchies. Inspect all the wiring for damage. Set aside 3-4 hours to do this right

Post by **volvolugnut** » 10 Jan 2023, 08:03

Remove the fuel line at the engine and see if you can get fuel flow. Check that the pump runs by sound. If no flow and the pump seems to be running, you have crud in fuel lines or filters.
Sitting for years will cause fuel line blockage. You may have to clean the fuel tank and all lines. I have done this to a truck that only set a couple years. Fuel with alcohol seems to be worse.
Test that the problem is fuel by giving a shot of start fluid or carb cleaner into the air intake. If you get engine to run a short time, you have working electric side but no fuel.
The the short running and then stall you experienced is not uncommon of fuel flow clogging.
volvolugnut

Post by **volvolugnut** » 10 Jan 2023, 08:07

abscate wrote: ↑09 Jan 2023, 23:40 If it was sitting it might have bad munchies. Inspect all the wiring for damage. Set aside 3-4 hours to do this right

Bad munchies = rodents eating your engine wires.

These restarts after long sitting are satisfying when you get them solved. Your approach is correct. Get basic fuel and ignition and it will likely run again. I would not expect other component failure until you have solid fuel and fire.

volvolugnut

e13h · Post by **e13h** » 10 Jan 2023, 13:25

wizechatmgr wrote: ↑09 Jan 2023, 20:30 Check the spark plugs... Are they wet? Are they in spec?

Brand new oem plugs, and not wet.

volvolugnut wrote: ↑10 Jan 2023, 08:03 Remove the fuel line at the engine and see if you can get fuel flow. Check that the pump runs by sound. If no flow and the pump seems to be running, you have crud in fuel lines or filters.
Sitting for years will cause fuel line blockage. You may have to clean the fuel tank and all lines. I have done this to a truck that only set a couple years. Fuel with alcohol seems to be worse.
Test that the problem is fuel by giving a shot of start fluid or carb cleaner into the air intake. If you get engine to run a short time, you have working electric side but no fuel.
The the short running and then stall you experienced is not uncommon of fuel flow clogging.
volvolugnut

Pump is not priming, no fuel to the engine

Post by **scot850** » 10 Jan 2023, 14:12

The pump may have failed, but also possible the electrics on top of the fuel tank may have been munched. At least on a FWD car the fuel pump is relatively accessible under the RH rear passenger seat area.

Also check the Fuel pump relay in the main fuse box is good. Normally a rectangular relay numbered 103 and to access it you have to take the top off the fuse box removing the 4 Torx T25 screws that hold it on to get to the back where it sits. There are plenty of threads on which pins you can jump to get the pump working to check it is good/bad.

Neil.

Post by **Clemens** » 10 Jan 2023, 23:54

+1 on the fuel pump. I had 2 fail in my 10V.

Easy to test by removing the service lid in the trunk (4 10mm bolts if I remember correctly) and use a 12V bulb to see if you get power to the pump. If it lights up, the pump is bad. If not, it's the wiring or a relay.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 11 Jan 2023, 07:27

If the pump has power, it may have stalled if the fuel has crud and the inlet is clogged. It MAY be possible to remove the fuel pump and clean any inlet filter or the pump itself. I have had some success cleaning fuel pumps with carb cleaner.
However, wear and damage to the pump may cause a complete failure soon. You may have to choose how much effort and money you want to spend to repair for short or long term.
volvolugnut