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Yesterday I parked my car at a gas station to grab some coffee, and when I came back out, the car wouldn't start.
1985 244 DL, B230F, M46 tranny, 212,000 miles.
It sounded like the fuel wasn't reaching the engine. When I turned the ignition, I heard a fairly healthy cranking starter and spark, but it just wouldn't catch on. Another guy walking back to his car also commented that it sounded like I wasn't getting any gas.
I think I heard the external fuel pump buzzing away.
However, several days before, on the highway, all of my cluster lights came on and stayed on for a bit, and when I stopped at a parts store for electrical testing, the machine confirmed that the battery and alternator were good, but the voltage regulator was out. The lights went off later that day, and I didn't think much of it, except that I know I probably need to get around to replacing the regulator or the whole alternator (I think it's original, believe it or not).
While trying to crank the car yesterday, on several occasions, I heard what I thought was the starter solenoid click, but then the whole electrical system shut off. No lights, anything. I opened the hood and wiggled the positive cable, and everything came back on. I would crank it again, and it would either do the same thing, or else just keep on cranking without ignition. Kind of weird.
The car did act this way once several days before, but after giving me about 45 seconds of trouble, it did start and was fine for a couple days. Later on last night, after buying a tow strap, the car did start after a couple tries, and I drove it home. I couldn't start it again after I got it back in the garage.
Does this sound purely electrical, or should I be thinking fuel system, relays, anything else? Thanks for your help.
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