1984 245 Ti / 290K miles...

After sitting for a week of so, wouldn't start today. When ignition was first turned on this morning, didn't hear the customary tank buzz. When cranking, motor wanted to start, but didn't.

Checked #7 16A fuse, was good. There is no current across fuse holder. Swapped out fuel pump relay, didn't help.

Main pump is likely the original. Do they just suddenly quit like this? I know the pump was drawing high current, due to the fuse being warm to the touch when checked previously.

Where do I start?

Thanks, Robert

Put a jumper wire across fuse 5 and 7, and you should hear the pump run even with the key off. See if it starts this way. If so it's probably the green fuel pump relay - I say probably, because replacing the relay doesn't always solve it. If, as mentioned by another poster, it's an ignition switch issue, you'll get very intermittent but aggravating no-start conditions. A friend of mine occasionally has to bridge the fuses to start her car, but once started it's fine, and a new relay did nothing to solve it. I've been too lazy to see if the switch fixes the problem, and it doesn't bother her, so it's staying as-is for the time being.

Jumpered fuses 5 and 7 this morning: nothing. Bad pump?

Thanks

Robert

As a final test, check for voltage at the pump.
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84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 90 745 AW70, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47

If it is the original fuel pump, yes as they only have X thousands of hours of operation before going bad. Do you have all your warning lights when key is in ignition, so that you know it is not ignition problem? Ignition switches eventually wear out, the points will not make contact and no start is result.
My 84 had a similar problem, turned out to be badly corroded fuses in fuse box.
Pull fuses, sand the edges and the terminals for good contact. If that is good,
check the fuel pump relay (green relay box under drivers side area under steering wheel). As a last resort, once you have the cover under the steering wheel down, you can reach the back of the ignition switch ($75 approx)to feel if the switch plug has pulled away from the ignition key cylinder. But yes, first guess is main fuel pump (less than $100 new), especially if you do not hear the hum from the back of the car. It is an easy fix.


Jay
84 245 GLTi 235k
88 740 GLE 220k