300CE stalled,will start,won't stay running

[Kyle Blackmore]

Coming home today from Christmas shopping our 88 300CE stalled and wouldn't restart. I left it for a few minutes and tried again, it will catch and start,run for a second or two and then die again. Trying to start it again right away and it won't catch but if I leave for a few minutes it will start and run for a second or two again before it dies. I did a search on fuel pumps and fuel pump relays but I am not sure that is the problem. We had it towed home so now I just need ideas on where to start. Just one note....NO it's not out of fuel:p

[keithed]

Seems to me not to long ago I saw a similar post and I beleive they were pointing in the direction of the crank sensor. Might want to search for a thread on that area.

Good luck
K

[Kyle Blackmore]

Thanks Keith,I hope I can get it to run long enough to check it , I have the CD but it's not too great on diagnosing help.

[Kyle Blackmore]

Ok I seem to be having a similar problem as david74mr . The car will start but not keep running.I have the relay out now and I charged the battery overnight , the OVP relay fuse is good and I am assuming that the pump is OK if it has pressure to start.If I jump the relay plug between 7 & 8 it should stay running right ?
Please Help !!!!

[Kyle Blackmore]

I'm starting to feel all alone here . I jumped the #7 & 8 connectors and the fuel pumps made a lot more noise than with the relay plugged in , and it ran for about 3 seconds but won't stay running still , dang nabbit .Does this rule out the relay on the fuel pump ? Is there a test for the crank sensor ?I will not admit defeat ! (not yet anyway )

[psfred]

You need to check the fuel pressure and delivery to rule out bad pumps or a plugged filter.

Is it possible you have water in the fuel?

Otherwise, if you have fuel (you should be able to smell it at the tailpipe if it is being injected), you have an ignition problem.

No experience with that, so can't help.....

Peter

[Kyle Blackmore]

Thanks Peter , if I leave it for a while it will start and run for up to 5 seconds smoothly and then shudder and die , like it is starved of fuel.It just seems strange that it came on so suddenly , no warning signs at all.

[psfred]

Pull the distributor and check the rotor, too -- they have been known to break, so does the rotor carrier. Could cause funny running.

Sure sounds like a plugged fuel filter to me, though.....

Peter

[Kyle Blackmore]

Thanks Peter , I am inclined to replace the fuel filter and I'll also check the cap and rotor again. That will be the cheapest route to start with.....guess the wife will be driving the Stang to work till this is sorted out .Good thing I married a trooper ....should have bought her a diesel too

[Kyle Blackmore]

Finally got serious tonight and checked my fuel pumps individually by disconnecting one lead from each pump in turn and checking their operation.One was noisy but working , the other had only a slight hum .I removed the pump set and checked their draw with my battery charger , the noisy one was quieter and the hummer drew about 9 amps . The manual says max draw is 7-10 amps for the pair (the good one drew about 2-3 amps).
I'm wondering if I sucked something into the pump from the tank that jammed it . I tried reversing polarity on the pump but it still just hummed . There doesn't seem to be any way to clear the pump , I guess I'll be buying a new pump tomorrow....I'll keep you informed of my progress....

[Kyle Blackmore]

I replaced the pump that comes from the fuel tank, refinished the bracket because it was all corroded, put everything back together and checked for leaks, turned the key.......and all is well. The tech at a local independent shop told me that it should have idled with one pump but no power to go. Mine seems to have plugged up and only allowed a trickle of fuel past the first pump which the second pump tried to pull up to the engine. That's why it would run for five seconds and then stall and then not restart until left for a few minutes so fuel could make it's way past the first pump. I didn't replace the relay but if it gives me grief I'll tear it apart and try to clean the contacts.
Steve, have you ever seen a pump that failed and wouldn't allow fuel through?? I thought perhaps I picked something up from the tank but could see no evidence looking inside the pump. Thanks to everyone who helped along the way with their suggestions and expertise......greatly appreciated.....and my wife thanks you all too as she wasn't impressed with my '67 Mustang 'courtesy car'.