Engine has started shutting off after starting

[Michael Lanning]

I have a 97 SHO. I have started having a problem after shutting off the car and trying to restart a few minutes later the car will not start. It acts like its not getting fuel. I can spray starter fluid in a vacuum and then the car will start. Once the car starts it runs fine and idle's ok. If the car has not been started in a while it starts up ok the problem only happens after the car has been driven for a while. Any suggestions....help appricated, thanks

 

[jimtash]

Sounds like vapor lock and it only happens during hot start situations. But that's not common with fuel injected engines though.

 

[intimdatr]

Bad Fuel Cap or a dying pump?

 

[LJRuddy]

Fuel pump is on its way out. had this issue on my 96. The fuel pump wont build enough pressure and the fuel in the rails starts to boil due to them being deep in the valley where the intense heat is from the engine.

 

[Michael Lanning]

Thanks, @ jimtash...yea it started happening when I drove to the beach and it was hot and humid...I live in the mountains.

Thanks, @imtimdatr for the response...fuel pump I guess

@ LJRuddy...thanks I was hoping it wasn't my fuel pump..any chance its my fuel regulator or is that just wishful thinking on my part ?

 

[LJRuddy]

I'll let someone more knowledgeable speak up on that one. However, a trick I started doing to rid the problems was to cycle the key 3 or 4 times before attempting to start it. Try that out and see if it helps.

 

[Michael Lanning]

Thanks LJRuddy...I'm sure your probably right about the pump. So yours did the exact same thing..how long before the pump died ?

 

[intimdatr]

Thanks LJRuddy...I'm sure your probably right about the pump. So yours did the exact same thing..how long before the pump died ?

It may be tomorrow or in a couple days, or months before if completely dies. You can never really know. Replacing them isnt that big of a task as long as you have an empty tank of gas to work with and are somewhat mechanically inclined.

 

[LJRuddy]

Mine started showing symptoms about 5 months before I sent it to the junk yard. It got slightly worse the last month or two but it never gave out and never showed signs of being weak with high load/high rpm driving. On the other hand, I've seen SHOs that had their fuel pumps go out over night when they worked perfectly the night before but would not pump at all the next morning.

 

[Michael Lanning]

Thanks LJRuddy for all your help. Ive had several people tell me its not my fuel pump cause they just go dead and don't show signs of problems...lol one thing Ive found is that these SHO's are not like other cars when it comes to diagnosing problems. I've. learn to listen and trust others like you who have had the same problems before so again thanks for your help I appreciate it.