Yet another fuel pump problem/question

[TVSHO]

I start up the SHO early this morning with no problems. Head out to the gym. It sits in the parking lot for 45 minutes. I come out and it only cranks and never starts up. (I tried off and on for 15 minutes)
I run home (allows me to burn off my frustration while burning off calories), I drive my other car to work and stop by the gym and guess what...it starts right up.
Hmmm?? Why wouldn't my SHO start? It didn't have the classic CPS non-starting symptoms I've dealt with in the past. I've read here that either the fuel pump works, or it doesn't. Can it work, then not work, then work again??
Any comments appreciated! (SHO has 120K miles and original fuel pump was replaced under factory warranty at around 70K miles so this one only has 50K miles/4 years on it)

Tom
'94 ATX

 

[stevetatro]

Without knowing any codes, I would suspect a bad CID (camshaft identification) sensor.

The symptoms you describe are exactly how mine would act when my CID went bad. Starts fine when cold, but when still warm it has a hard time starting, and if/when you finally do get it started it has trouble idling.

If you wait long enough it will throw a code. If it's the CID it will be a 214 (if my memory serves me right).

You can get a cheap replacment (Wells brand) at AutoZone, and it's easy to replace. May be worth a shot!

Good luck.

 

[SHO--ripper]

When my fuel pump went bad it would stall then start then stall and not start for awhile,then start again. Check the fuel pressure on the fuel rail. Also run the codes.

 

[sdpatt]

It could very possibly be a fuel pump problem as the pump failure is usually heat related. If it fails to start again, turn the ignition key to ON and listen for the fuel pump whine from the tank. If no whine, you likely found your cause.

The engine will still start with a cylinder identification (CID) sensor failure, but the start will be ugly: backfiring or even stopping. A crankshaft position sensor (CPS) failure can prevent the engine from firing and will also stop it cold while running. Your tachometer will drop to zero if no signal is generated by this sensor.

 

[TVSHO]

Thanks guys. FWIW...the CID sensor was replaced at 103K miles during my 60K service.

I'll run the codes asap!

Tom
'94 ATX

 

[shojuan]

TVSHO:
I've read here that either the fuel pump works, or it doesn't.

Yeah I've heard that too and unfortunately it turned out to be not true in my case. Kept me from investigating the fuel pump for almost 6 months. My problem seemed tied to how long the fuel pump was running from a cold start. Or how much resting time it had after a hot run. I had many months of trouble before the fuel pump started displaying the symptoms of change in fuel pitch. In its last few moments in my driveway when testing out the pump with the car off (ground the fuel pump test pin in the EEC test connector to the body with the KOEO) the pitch would rise after a couple minutes of running. The volume would change too. I tested all my wiring and it tested out fine. Problem was the pump.

 

[aaronsbiza]

My 95ATX had the same symptoms, and all of a sudden they have stopped, I think it may have to do with the weather being a bit warmer, but it does sound like a pump on its way out. I have yet to replace mine, the car seems a bit sluggish now and occasionaly my car will start but idle like it is trying to get gas. I had a BMW with an external fuel pump that had almost the same problem, if I got out of the car and gave the pump s few good kicks it would start working again. I would do like was said before and have the fuel pressure tested.