Hello Fellow brickers:

My trusty ole' 245DL with 295,000 miles on it decided to not start yesterday. I think she is mad at me cause I haven't been driving her that much lately!

Started fine on Saturday and drove it around the block and parked on the street. Tuesday night, went to drive her home back to the driveway and at first started for a second then died. It was cold out. Tried to start again and no luck.

Engine cranks over just fine but doesn't seem to be getting any gas. I was very low on gas so I put two gallons of fresh gas in and still no start.

Any suggestions on where to start looking for problems before I tow her to the shop.

Car has been very reliable and I've owned her for the last 100,000 miles. Prior owner did all maintenance at dealership. Since I've owned it, all I've had done to it are tune ups, new clutch, oil changes every 3,000 miles and battery.

During the summer when very hot, the car did have a warm start problem after running for while when engine was warmed up.

Fuel pump? Relays?

Thanks for the help in advance.

Ed
--
'90 245DL, 5 speed, 292,xxx miles Looking to meet other brickers in Oregon. I travel up and down I-5 often and enjoy meeting for a beer in different towns.

Check your fuse and clean your fuse connections first . Starts up? If not turn your ignition on while carefully listening for a short fuel pump whine. If nothing,with ignition on slap hard or pound hard on the side of your console next to the passenger left leg. Starts up ? If not ,while cranking have someone slap hard the side of a 2x4 board against the bottom of your fuel tank Starts up?

If it is a fuel and not an electrical problem, have you checked to see if you can hear the fuel pumps when you turn the key?

Have a few simple DIY ideas...

1. Does your 90 have the "infamous" 25 amp fuel injection fuse and holder near the battery? Apparently some do and some don't. Mine does - BTDT. Trying jiggling the wires near the fuse to see if that makes a difference.

2. As you mentioned, check the fuel pump relay. Should be under glove box, remove floor kick panel. Solder or replace. Think a new relay is about $14 from FCP Groton.

3. Check the plug connector to the AMM for looseness. BTDT too.... Oh yeah, very important - make sure the engine is off before disconnecting/reconnecting the plug to the AMM! and be careful of the prongs - don't break!


Post back with more info if you can...


--
Jim 90 244DL 246K

As I'm in the middle of a timing belt "situation" with my '80 245, I suggest you check that out as well.

Good luck!
--
If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"

Would my engine turn over if it was a timing belt issue?

Ed
--
'90 245DL, 5 speed, 292,xxx miles Looking to meet other brickers in Oregon. I travel up and down I-5 often and enjoy meeting for a beer in different towns.

Yes, in fact the easiest way to check is to watch the camshaft through the oil filler hole while someone cranks the engine. If it doesn't move, you've got a broken timing belt. Even if that's not the case, if you haven't done it in 100,000 miles, it's definitely time to do it or you'll find yourself stranded somewhere else soon!
--
'81 GLT 245 W/245K; '83 DL 175K

My bad on the post. I have had the timing belt done twice. Once at 200,000 and another time at 255,000 miles.

But, I'll check the timing belt just in case.

Ed
--
'90 245DL, 5 speed, 292,xxx miles Looking to meet other brickers in Oregon. I travel up and down I-5 often and enjoy meeting for a beer in different towns.

Have you checked the engine speed sensor. When they go (and they do) that's the symptons you've got...
RP
--
RP '87 245 (Ol' Blue)321,000 mi, '93 245 (Ruby)186,000 mi, '02 BMW 325, '98 Mustang Cobra SVT, '87 Harley Heritage, 2003 Anniversary Edition Corvette Convertible, and a 2003 Anniversary Harley Road King w/Sidecar