1995 850 hard start, RESOLVED fuel pump relay

rdnzl · Post by **rdnzl** » 11 Sep 2013, 16:20

Until recently, my 2.4 L base 850 wagon has always started immediately - any season, any weather. I have owned it for about 5 years, up to 205,000 now, and I drive it daily. In the last week, it has begun to be reluctant to fire at startup. First, it took a second try for it to fire, now it will stumble after initial firing until it dies and it may take several tries before it will take off and run normally. There is no drop off in performance once running, and it will idle smoothly and normally. Too recent to see if mileage has dropped off.....can anyone speak to the probable culprit here? As long as it will eventually start, how urgent is it to address the problem? In other words, is it signalling an imminent complete failure to start? There's a road trip in the near future, you see.....

Thanks in advance

Post by **misha** » 11 Sep 2013, 16:22

Is check engine light on?

rdnzl · Post by **rdnzl** » 11 Sep 2013, 17:04

No check engine light. Intermittent ABS/TRACS lights for some time now. My research on that issue doesn't seem to connect to the starting problem. No other "idiot" lights showing (except at key turn before cranking)

Post by **E Showell** » 11 Sep 2013, 17:41

There is a new starter in your future, particularly if it still has the original starter. Next time this happens get out your lug wrench and mallet. Put one arm of the lug wrench on the starter and give a couple whacks with the mallet on the opposite arm. See if car starts normally. If so, a starter replacement is in your future. DIY starter replacement can be done. I did mine (non turbo) without removing the cooling fan but it was a real biatch to do so. Many would recommend removing the fan to get some room to work. There are good directions for starter replacement on this site. Alternatively, check all battery cables and connections. A loose battery connection can result in starting problems.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Sep 2013, 20:09

I would run a compression test on the motor, or try the spoonful of oil in the cylinders to see if the cold start issue resolves. See "lawn mower syndrome"

rdnzl · Post by **rdnzl** » 12 Sep 2013, 15:20

Well.....storm and power outage last night, still out this AM. Got into the car to head to work, tough starting, but it finally fired. Cut out several times on the drive, restarted reluctantly each time, finally quit for good about 5 mi. from work. Got a ride in, called my indy mech, then called for a hook, got use of a company rig to get home......at least the power is back up! Storming again, so we shall see.

Thanks for the replies. If this is a starter problem, I'll eat my hat, and I don't even wear one. Car cranks happily and (as I now know) for extended periods of time (short bursts, of course, but that starter got lots of exercise this AM.....) Mech thinks problem is either fuel pump (my guess, too) or ignition module. I'll know more tomorrow, and will post results.

Ain't it always the way? I took my other vehicle in for some work just yesterday, so two vehicles down at the same damned time! I live by myself, so no leetle woman to help out, either.....

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Sep 2013, 22:28

Your last post sounds like your fuel pump RELAY is going bad, not the pump itself.

Simple, easy fix.

Post by **misha** » 13 Sep 2013, 16:22

I vote for a weak fuel pump or it's relay.

Test the relay first... i think that "how to" is somewhere in a repair database.

rdnzl · Post by **rdnzl** » 13 Sep 2013, 17:53

Yep, last two replies nailed it. Fuel pump relay was replaced, and car runs fine. Wish the timing of breakdown/replies etc. had been better, as I had to shell out for tow and mechanic....just had to get mobile again, and in a hurry.

Thanks, all. Great forum here.