Car wont start!

[g8r]

You guys have been great in the past! Maybe you can help me out with my wifes sidekick. Its has EFI. The engine rotates but wont start. In the past I have repaced the cap and rotor. but I dont think this is the problem this time. I cleaned all the contacts and still wont start. If I spray quick start in the air intake the engine will start fo a second or two. How do I check if the fuel pump is running? If it was working shouldnt I smell gas? Its in the tank so if its shot I wont be able to fix it. Is there anything else it could be?Is there an easy way to check the spark to the plugs? Any help would greatly be appreciated . Thanks

 

[anthonytony]

turn the key over liike your starting it and listen for the fuel pump too see if it primes up..not sure on a sidekick but find the fuel rail and you will a fitting kinda like a tire steam with a cap on it. stick a small screw driver down in it see if has some pressure..lust like letting air out.gl

 

[EBInterceptor]

That "air" though is going to be gasoline. And if you haven't relieved the pressure, it may just spray everywhere. You can get fuel pressure checkers at Sears or automotive stores, about $40. It'll have a fitting to fit onto the schrader valve, a gauge, and a tube to direct the fuel into a container, rather than being sprayed with it. You can remove the gas cap, turn the key part way, and listen at the filler neck for a whurring noise from the fuel pump. You also can get spark plugs to plug into you wires to check for spark. Probably only a few bucks for that.

 

[g8r]

Thanks Guys.
I really havent had time to work on it. But I did changed the fuel filter. I wasnt able to get the old one off the frame but still managed to attach the lines to a new one. Because I didnt have the frame to hold the filter I couldnt tighten the lines really hard. But tight enough I thought. When I crank it now I can see some gas leaking at the filter. I put it in the right way cause I got the old one there to match. I had a spare battery, spark plugs and wire on hand so I replaced those and the engine is getting the spark.

I guess I gotta find the fuel rail and look for that valve. Does anyone know the order of parts the fuel goes thru. Please pardon my ignorance.

 

[g8r]

Thanks for the help. The was no fuel coming out of the thottle body injector. Took off air cleaner/intake and could see the TBI bore was dry. Turns out it was not getting power from the ECM. Its apparently a common problem with this vehicle and a workaround bypassing the ecm was posted on another site. Its up and running, for now...

 

[Brain]

Yours has TBI??? My 91 has six injectors, my '92 has six injectors...as far as I'm aware you don't have TBI unless somebody did a starnge swap. Taking of the inlet tube will let you see the intake manifold, and it should be dry. The fuel injectors spray where you can't see without complete removal of the intake manifold. I have an old '80 Lincoln Town Car with throttle body fuel injection so I know what you are talking about.
Sequence of parts the fuel goes through:
1) intake screem and pump (in fuel tank)
2) supply line
3) fuel filter
4) more supply line
5) fuel pressure regulator
6) fuel rail
7) fuel injectors
8) intake air
9) cylinder (where it burns and is no longer "fuel")

There is also a return line (from the fuel rail back to the gas tank) for the fuel that doesn't get used by the injectors.

No need to aplogize for not knowing...it's just that you've never found yourself needing to know before. Good luck.

 

[g8r]

Yours has TBI??? My 91 has six injectors, my '92 has six injectors...as far as I'm aware you don't have TBI unless somebody did a starnge swap.

This is a Sidekick and does have a TBI. I actually followed the instructions from the Haynes manual to look for the spray. Then I checked the wire to the injection and it was dead.