decampos

Oh boy. Sorry to be so tedious but the intermittent non start has reared its ugly face again though this time it appears permanent. Car wouldn't start this morning. Much cranking, an occasional sputter as though it's going to start but doesn't. Got an Uber into work.

When I got home, car still wouldn't start. Pulled a plug to see it was wet, it looks dry but otherwise healthy (experts please chime in).



I then tested for spark and it looked pretty sparky (experts please chime in)




So at this point, with the dry plug, it looked like a fuelling issue but I cracked open one of the hard fuel lines going into one of the rails and fuel was certainly happening. How does this look to you guys? Perhaps I didn't crack it enough earlier before inspecting the plug.



In the recent past, I've replaced the green wire, fuel check valve and fuel filter. Anyone care to suggest what my next move should be?

Any help very much appreciated.

The Forgotten On

Most likely it is the temperature timer switch for the cold start injector that has died in your 83.

I had a similar issue as mine I would have to crank for ages, some sputtering as if it was going to start but didn't, and then it would finally catch as the battery was just about to die.

The Deputy

I'd check fuel pressure...just by looking at your video...that doesn't seem like much pressure. Do you hearing injectors clipping while you turn it over?

Brian.

Mrmerlin

I would check/ replace the fuel pump fuse, and the fuel injection relay, pump relay
NOTE fuel pump relay may not be a 53 for your car? what year?

dr bob

Stan, it's a 1983 per his profile on the left.

But the advice is still sound. The fuel pump relay, after a fuel pressure test, would be high on my suspect list. The FP relay is a 'smart' relay for that vintage, so they aren't the simple $10 replacements unfortunately. Still the fuel pressure test will tell you a lot. If pressure is low, do try a relay socket jumper to narrow a low-pressure problem to either pump or relay, as low pressure could be either one. If there's still low pressure with the jumper, gently pinch the return line that exits to fuel cooler and see if the pressure increases; that's would indicate a possible pressure regulator fault.

decampos

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it. There’s been a bit of a development:

So this morning. Car wouldn’t in the same style as yesterday: cranking, occasionally sputtering. Called an Uber and while waiting, I did one last crank but this time floored the accelerator and it started and idled smoothly. I took a chance and drove to work, it was as good as bronzy-gold. (We’ll see if it takes me home). I did try this technique of starting yesterday but to no avail.

Does the fact that it can still run well when gotten running still speak of a problem with fuel pressure or the relay?

That’s interesting. I don’t know what the temperature timer switch is but that describes my problem(s). I’ll look into that. Anyone care to comment on that?
Thanks guys.

decampos

Update. I called 928 int and spoke to Tom who agreed that the car starting and running fine ruled out fuel pump and various relays (with caveats of course) and concurred with ‘The Forgotten On’s suggestion that it may be the temperature timer switch at fault. I’ve just went ahead and bought a good used one from them. $75 is only a drop in the ocean of unplanned expenditure for this car and is par for the course I guess. But it’s worth it right? Right?

hwyengr

If the temp timer doesn't make a difference, run the residual fuel pressure test to see if you've got a leaking/stuck injector(s) dumping in fuel while you're cranking, flooding the engine.

928s flood by looking at them wrong...