240 Wont Start

ce1siera · Post by **ce1siera** » 25 Mar 2003, 22:52

I have a 1987 240. The car started fine. I drove it for about 20 miles. Shut it off & went to start again. It started fine, but after 2-3 seconds it quit.

Had just filled the tank 1 hour before. Have plenty of spark @ the plugs, new distributor cap, rotor, wires, etc. so I suspected the fuel system.

I started by disconnecting the fuel filter inlet line to see if I had any fuel coming in. I did not. Next I checked the fuel pump fuses. They were OK (with voltmeter). Next I checked the fuel pump leads. When I cranked the engine, there was no power, so I went for the fuel pump relay.

I Got power going into the relay (12.7 volts). When cranking the engine, the relay contacts close & STAY closed until the key is released then they open again (should they open & close continously while the engine is being cranked?). While cranking, I have no power at the pump with the relay contacts closed. I suspect the relay may be bad, but want to make sure since it will cost me about quite a bit for a new relay and if its not the relay, I can't take it back (the dealer won't take it back). What is somewhat confusing is that the relay appears to be working (contacts closing), but I imagine the relay coil or one of the small chips may be bad.

Is there a wiring diagram with voltage/resistance values that I can check the relay for? Is there anything else that I can do to isolate the problem or that can cause no fuel pressure?. Any advice would help. Thanks

arete · Post by **arete** » 30 Mar 2003, 09:22

I had a similar problem and it was the ballast resistor- it got too hot. It was replaced and then worked fine. (81-240)

ce1siera · Post by **ce1siera** » 31 Mar 2003, 11:12

Arete,

Thanks for the reply. My problem turned out to be the fuel pump relay after all. I took it off and looked at it with a magnifying glass and the solder joints for the coil on the back of the card were cracked. I guess one was bad enough to prevent the electrons from passing through.

I tried to resolder, but was not able to get a good joint. I ended up buying a new one for $85 (ouch....), put it in and after getting fuel on the line, it started right up.