Replaced the fuel pump, now it wont start

[Adam 83]

I have a 1983 280zx non turbo. It has an in line fuel pump. Two days ago, I started the car, and it went out (the fuel pump). As I was driving down the road, the car started sputtering, and it would die if I gave it gas. Eventually it stopped running. When I would try to start it, there was no noise coming from the fuel pump, and the car would idle really low (4 or 500 rpm) for a few seconds, then die. I replaced the fuel pump. I can hear the fuel pump now, and when I started the car it ran great for a few minutes, then I turned it off. I replaced the fuel filter, and I started the car again. First it started idleing low again, and now it wont start at all. What should I do?

[hls30.com]

Welcome to the club!

We need more information on your situation

1) How much of the history of the car do you know. Has it been your daily driver for the last 6 months, did you rescue it from a long nap in someones back yard, was it a hand-me-down that was only driven out of the garage in the sunshine...all of these things can come into play..

2) How long have you had it?

3) How long since its last tuneup?

4) Any other issues recently?

Some things to check-in order of easy.

1) Check for spark.

2) check for fuel-are you getting it to the injectors at enough pressure

3) check the injectors to see if they are working(plug a bare led in-it will only work one way-to verify pulse) put a rod or a screwdriver on the injector and to your ear to listen for the firing of the injector.

4)if there is a fuel problem(and the pump is running), pull up the carpet and Urethane pad in the hatch. Under these you will find a 5 inch diameter plate held in by two phillips sheet metal screws. Remove them and the pickup plate on the gas tank will be exposed. Remove the hoses-noting where they go, and the fasteners, then the pickup. Look for a clogged pickup, and use carb cleaner and a stout brush on the pickup. Unfortunately, if the pickup is that bad, you need to drain and drop the tank, the pump. and the lines to the pump and clean them(if the gas is fresh-and not stinky or sticky, filter it and put it back in the tank later). After that I would run some fuel system cleaner through the car.

As a heads-up, don't forget the search function. Most of the troubleshooting you need-including what I posted for you-is in the archives, which is part of why no one posted. Add to that the sparse info about your situation with your car, and those that would post are not apt to because it is too easy to be wrong with a shot gun approach to troubleshooting a car with an unknown history. Several of us have typed long and detailed answers to your questions from other people with in the years we have been here as have those before us, how many times will you type the same info?

The longer you are here, the more you will come to realize that the Search function is the most valuable tool of this site. Don't let its price fool you.

Will

[Adam 83]

Ok. I just bought the car a month ago. It had been sitting a long time in some one's back yard. It had the wrong throttle body on it, and the spark plugs/wires were all different ages and types. I found an 82 throttle body, and replaced the one that was on the car. My zx is an 83, and the 82 throttle body I put on seemed to match up perfectly. Anyways, the car was still running off of 5 cylinders until I replaced all spark plugs/wires. That fixed the dead cylinder. It still ran like crap, died when floored it, and had an exhaust manifold gasket leak (a bolt was broken off inside the block). I ran a fuel system cleaner through it, and almost imeadiatly it began to run better. I had a mechanic take the top of the engine apart and fix the manifold, TPS sensor, and timing. The car still backfired a bit, so I set up an appointment to replace the exhaust, and after that was put on we were going to re-diagnose the car.

So, the day of the appointment, I start my car and hear the fuel pump turn on like usual, but the sound slowed down and cut out within a couple seconds. Within a minute of being on the road, the engine started shuddering, died when I touched the gas pedal, and eventually stopped running. I replaced the in line pump, and when I turned the car on it started crappy, but soon started to idle normally. I turned it off, replaced the fuel filter, and when I turned it back on it was running crappy again. Idles at 400 rpm (put......put......put....put), dies if I give it gas, and now wont start at all. Just keeps turning and turning. By the way, every time I disconnect the fuel hose from the Fuel filter (on the engine side) it sprays out fuel, and fuel runs out of the line, so I think that means the fuel is making it to the engine, but maybe not enough?

[EScanlon]

WAG:

Crud inside the tank clogging the pick-up tube / in-tank screen?

E

[mazingerz1976]

mmm check the fuel presure, it must be around 36 psi.... it seems like you have a clogged screem, do you have the FSM? download it from www.carfiche.com

[Adam 83]

What tool do I need to check fuel pressure?

[Cornbreadxd]

a fuel pressure gauge, you can get one at almost any autoparts store

[Adam 83]

Alright, I just unscrewed the circular cap under the hatchback. I disconnected the 3 fuel hoses, unplugged the connector, and lifted the unti out of the gas tank. The tank looked clean (I could see it well cause there was only about a half gallon of gas in it), and the sceen was in good shape with no sludge. I took the screen off, and one by one I blew into the tops of each line and my breathe came out just fine on the opposite ends. Visually, the insides of the metal lines looked great and clean. I just hooked everything back up and still.....it just turns and turns when turn the key. I think Ill go and get a fuel pressure gauge. What else could it be?

[DeesZ]

With only 1/2 gallon of gas in the tank, how much do you think will be picked up and pumped? I'll be the first to say that I know next to nothing about EFI, but with that amount of gas in there, I wouldn't expect much with my carbs....

[m4xwellmurd3r]

yeah, a half gallon isn't enough. I ran my Z out of gas once and had to put at least 2 gallons in to get her fired up properly

(and I thought I had gas, till I looked at my clear filter I have before my fuel pump, and saw it sucking bubbles intermittently)

[mazingerz1976]

have you checked for Spark?, are the injectors working fine?

[Adam 83]

Ok, Im going to put a couple of gallons in her. I