sTenGuy69

HELP!

I just finished replacing the master cylinder on my recently purchased 79 and was excited to get it back on the road. Plan was a quick test drive and then head straight to the gas station for a fill up. I knew I was low on fuel but, not being familiar with the car, I let it get too low and it ran out of gas just down the street from my house.

I had to tow it back to my garage, and then put a gallon in and tried to start it but no luck. So I put another gallon in the tank and tried to start it again but it still wouldn't start.

At this point I checked the fuel pump fuse (no prob), pump relay (no prob). Is there anything special I need to do after I run it out of gas? I'm trying to figure out what to check/do to get it started again?

pcar928fan

I bet it didn't run out of gas... I bet that was just a coincidence. I bet it ends up being something else. Another guy just replaced half his car trying to get it running again and the problem the whole time was the fuel injector ground points which had corroded...after cleaning them off, guess what...started right up no big deal.

Good luck and I wish I could be more help.

sTenGuy69

I'll definitely check that. It started and ran perfectly until my dumba$$ ran it out of gas. Like an idiot, after it died I tried starting it, got it to run for a few hundred yards, it died again and got it started again only to completely run out just feet from my house. My dad thinks I burned the fuel pump up (god I hope not)...

Anything you can think of toss my way and I'll check it!

pcar928fan

I hope it just takes time to pump fuel from the tank up to the injectors and that you will be on your way again... Could be the pump is done, but I can't imagine a few minutes of running on empty would burn up a fuel pump...if you had been driving from a full tank of gas till all the way empty and the pump was good and hot...well, I could see that maybe...but not the way you described it.

sTenGuy69

Turns out the connection at the fuse was corroded. as soon as I jumped 30 and 87 on the relay and mucked around at the fuse connection the fuel pump started working. We noticed a small fuel leak at the pump lines; looks like PO didn't tighten the pump bracket so it was jiggling around...

As with most problems, I don't think its just one thing, going to test the fuel pump relay now. Any suggestions on doing that (before I google it?).

pcar928fan

YEE HA!! Glad you got it going!

jcorenman

Glad it was simple. Just replace the relay (and pick up a couple of spare relays at the same time). Take a careful look at the CE (central electric) panel while you are there, looking for corroded or burned contacts.

The inlet to the heater box is right above the CE panel, if it leaks rainwater onto the CE panel then you can have corrosion problems. And corrosion causes resistance which can cause the contacts to heat up and melt the plastic.

This is the '79 you wrote about in a prior post? Suggestion: spent the few bucks for Rennlist membership, post some pictures, then add a signature (User CP) with some details of your car, and a location-- at least approximate.

And welcome!!

sTenGuy69

Wheww. All better now.

Jumping the relay without undoing to return line at the fuel distributor (like the workshop manual said to do) caused the fuel pressure accumulator to bleed off excess fuel like its supposed to do. We were a bit thrown off by the leaking fuel but turns out its by design. After i sanded the fuse contacts and stuck the relay back in she fired right up.

Was able to drive like a bat out of hell to the gas station ha ha! Thanks for your suggestions and welcoming to the 928 club.