hlee96

Just acquired a new project and wants to get it onto my 4-post lift and start going through the systems, but once the car drove into my driveway and turned off from the transport truck, it won't start (cranked), but this am, it won't even crank with a jumper.

History:
'78 5-speed that sat for ~10 yrs (supposedly having had its gas drained and ran dry before storage) before the immediate PO bought it in 2002. He in turn put "gas treatment" into the gas tank and was able to drive it regularly from 2002-2010. However, he drives it ~once/wk or several times a month from 2010-2015. During the past few months, the car began to have difficulty with starting and it required him to put some gas into the intake for it to start. Once it did, the car would run without any trouble.

Last night, in trying to start and drive the car from my driveway into my garage with the lift, it cranks and it even ignites a few times (<5 sec) but would immediately die without holding idle, even with throttle pressed during start-ups. Following each attempt, I would hear a "machine whining or hissing sound" coming from the right rear section of the car compartment, liekly the fuel pump.

This am, it would not even try to crank. Just "clicks" with the ignition switch. Thinking it may be the battery, I hooked up the jump starter onto the battery and nothing changes. Hooked it also to the engine jump post with same results.

Should I give up starting it now and just figure out a way to push the car onto the 4-post lift ramp and start Hilton's diagnostics with starting an old car?

I will assume that nothing was changed nor updated during the past 13 years. Last maintenance record was 2002 with WP/belts.

Thanks for any comments/advice.

BTW, the car was bought as a project (even more things needed to be done done my recently acquired S4) but I will learn and take my time in making this car right.

dr bob

A prominent SoCal local spent a few days and tore some hair out, only to finally discover that his no-start problem was based on a lack of fuel issue. He put gas in the tank, and miraculously it started right up. The 1/8 tank level showing on the gauge was, um, inaccurate.

Disconnect the ground strap to isolate the battery, and get a good charger connected directly to it. Since it's a new project and you are dying to discover all that will need attention, remove the battery from the car for charging, giving yourself access to evaluate the battery box and wiring condition before putting the battery back in.

After that, standard diagnostic methods apply. You need spark, fuel, and compression. Troubleshoot in that order. After you put some (couple gallons) fuel in the tank. Don't go overboard, in case you need to drain and clean the tank as part of your project.

MainePorsche

After 10 years, even if it is not the final problem, I would get a new ground strap. Just by looking at it may not tell the whole story. Does fit with some of your symptoms.

Add: after 10 years I'd also get a new battery. May have adequate measurable energy potential (voltage) but no amperage due to dead cells.

Kiln_Red

I would suspect that the car is out of gas, also. The fuel pump makes a louder, whiny sound when it is run dry. If you're certain that there is fuel, then the next step is verifying fuel pressure. Don't lose the little ball cap when and if you remove the nut at the end of the right fuel rail.

Separately, it sounds like there could be an issue with the cold start system.

hlee96

Great! Since I had just finished cutting my lawn with some gas left over in the canister, I will attempt to fill the tank (~0.5-1 gallon left from the canister) and see if it starts. Will be back with results.

hlee96

Well, putting more gas into it didn't work, but using my riding mower and my 2 nephews to help steer the car onto the lift did!

Now, it is sitting in its perch for the forseeable future during its rehab from the dead. Will post pictures soon and will also keep myself inline by starting a restore thread soon...

Thanks everyone-Hoi

hlee96

Ta-Da!

joejoe

Nice looking car, could problem be in fuel distributor?

The Deputy

I believe your "battery being dead issue" could be related to the radio antenna. If it does not retract completely, it continuously tries to pull the antenna down, drawing current...even with the key off...and will run the battery completely dead.

Mine was like yours and was dead every morning (until l started disconnecting the battery each night). I applied some silicone spray to the antenna itself and then gentle assisted it while retracting. Eventually, after about twenty assists, it started retracting all the way by itself. And I no longer had to disconnect the battery afterwards. Been jumper cable free for six months now...lol.

I would also do as suggested and check, clean and repair all ground connections or cables. Make sure the battery is fully charge and then continue the running issue trouble shooting.

Goood luck, and nice looking car (granted, washing the poor old girl before you pushed it in would have been nice...lol).

Brian.

P.S. Was the car represented as in running condition before you bought it?

hlee96

Brian, I didn't know that a '78 would have a power antennae, and I will certainly look at getting it fixed. In addition, your advice of grounds and CE panel are certainly correct. Juts got the car 2 nights ago and now away from the elements so that I can spend time looking on each and every ground point.

joejoe: after the electrical stuff, I also plan to follow your advice to work over the fuel system.

Believe it or not, this is actually the best view, besides the rear end, of this car, because the hood and top are both under a thick layer of nice patina. The owner did not think to put a cover over it, since he moved to a temp house without a garage for 5 years. After taking care of all the mechanical stuff, I will certainly give this girl a nice bath and interior restoration.

The car is in working order, since the car was driven off the transport truck then ~1/2 mile up my street into my driveway.

Thank you for your advice!
-Hoi

AirtekHVAC

Very nice....love it!

hlee96

Thank you Ron. My car was 383rd after yours. Just looked at the undercarriage, and this old lady will need lots of attention during the next few months.

Roger (928srus) and Tom (928 International), you will be on my speed dial for the foreseeable future.

Gotta make a list of things to do......

James Bailey

you may wish to edit the 16 inch phone dials...those are 15 inchers part of the comfort option for a 5speed but standard on automatics....

hlee96

James, do you mean 15" phone dials were an option? Or were 16" options?
Thanks for letting me know; I didn't measure them, just eyeballed them to be small in comparing to my 18".

James Bailey

I believe that 16 inch were standard on all 5 speeds but 15 were standard for automatics. the comfort option for a smoother ride was put 15 inch higher sidewall profile on the 5speed.... But who knows where I heard that ??? over the course of 20 plus years you "learn" a few things, just not all of them are correct