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[T3] Mystifying starting problem


So I recently tuned up my car and it's been running really beautifully.
Timing is great, new points, new plugs, clean distributor, everything
ignitionwise very good. Oil changed and good. Generating system is just
fine. Haven't had any kind of problem no matter what heat, what weather.

Drive to my shop. Its an easy drive. Work for an hour or so. Go back to car.
Won't start. Starter turning over just fine. Belt ok, can't check ignition
timing but I'm 90% sure no problem there. Figure it must be the fuel line.
Starts pouring rain. Can't do anything.

Looking at Bentley it mentions checking that for ground on wire 19 in the
ECU. How do you do that?

Then it says to check that #18 is getting 12v from terminal 50 on the
starter. How do you do that? Exactly how to hook up the Voltmeter to check
that? 

Rain stops, I think to give it another go, just to test my luck. Starts
right up. A little sluggish at first, like its a fuel thing, but then, no
problem. 

I ALWAYS got the Click-click of the fuel relay right as it should be. Also,
the fuel pump WAS operating.

Another bentley question. It says: "The ECU supplies current to the pump
during the first 1.5 seconds after the ignition has been switched on. If the
pump runs during this brief period but then ceases to operate, the relay or
its wiring is definitely at fault."

I thought this was what was SUPPOSED to happen, in order to prevent the pump
from running if the engine wasn't started, for safety reasons.

I had this problem a year ago, but I thought it was the cyl. temp sensor,
which I replaced and haven't had a problem since. Besides, the engine was no
where near too hot. I could touch it. That said, I haven't checked it. No,
it seems like a fuel problem. I'm glad it's working now, but I missed an
important appointment. So what can I do maintenance-wise to assure that this
won't happen again? My filler neck elbow IS intact to keep water from
getting in. I haven't changed the fuel filter yet, though. Maybe that's all
it is. My lines are fine. No gas leaks. But it DID smell very gassy at the
engine after I had tried to start it a number of times. Like it was flooded.

It wasn't a particularly hot night either. Just really humid.
By the way, I know it doesn't fail often, but I've never been comfortable
not having a spare pressure regulator on hand. Does anyone have one to sell?

-Mike
-- 
Mike Wodkowski
72 FI SQBK
Brooklyn
wodkowski@mac.com

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