having problems starting 87 cougar

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having problems starting 87 cougar

June 17, 2011, 12:02:24 AM

heres the story. i was drivin the car and it dies out of the blue. i turned the key on and noticed the fuel pump didnt turn on. i put a new one in it, and wired it up to where i have to touch the wires togather to turn pump on. and i cranked it over and it wont start. i spayed starting fluid in the plentem and it hit then fired up. so im guessin the injectors aint. can anybody help me on this one..... thanks

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #1 – June 17, 2011, 08:14:34 AM

I would guess injectors or wiring problems.... You didn't give any info about your motor, so we really don't know what we're trying to fix

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #2 – June 17, 2011, 08:48:07 PM

its a 5.0. would this problem have anything to do with me bypassing the fuel pump relay? i really dont know myself, i dont see why it wouldnt work.

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #3 – June 17, 2011, 09:30:20 PM

if your sure the pump is working, then you need to see if the injectors are firing. I believe the computer does all that... someone here will know what and how to check that. My book is in the shop. I've never had to check them before

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #4 – June 17, 2011, 09:50:28 PM

do u think it might have anything to do with the disturbter.

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #5 – June 17, 2011, 09:56:02 PM

Well you can run the pump from the ALDL test port and save all that extra wire you ran. If it does not run from their the relay or pump wiring is shot. If it runs from the test port then the ECM is at fault. Is the inertia switch popped??? If so reset it. Is their spark??? Does the injectors pulse??? Were that checked with a NOID??? Make some checks and post back.

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #6 – June 18, 2011, 01:06:57 AM

Have you checked the pump relay? It's in the trunk, up high on the passenger side ....all alone.

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #7 – June 18, 2011, 06:01:24 AM

If it runs from the ALDL that checks the relay. If it does not run from the ALDL then investigate the relay!!

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #8 – June 18, 2011, 08:42:36 PM

i hate to sound dumb but i have no clue about aldl. and yes its getting spark. where is the ecm located. and the injectors are fine. and yes the inertia switch is fine... also before the fuel pump went out the car has always seemed odd to me, i had to unplug the idle air control becuase it was running at 2000rpm when u start it, and by unplugging it made it idle fine. then i had to unplug the timing advance becuase with it hooked up it didnt want to start sometimes. and i have to keep moving the timing due to weather. if hot i move it down, and cold i move it up. this is why i think its the distributor. but overall i love the thing. i just wished it would run right...

pull code 1st

Reply #9 – June 18, 2011, 10:10:08 PM

Imho would be best to connect everything back to factory and pull codes 1st. The computer could tell you something to lead to a fix. After you have the codes, check spark timing, fuel pressure, injector pulse, check the spark plug condition and then begin diagnosis. If you want a guess check the tps voltage for vref, ground and signal sweep.
Hope this helps.

having problems starting 87 cougar

Reply #10 – June 19, 2011, 09:48:33 AM

THE ALDL is the assembly line diagnostic plug. You can use it to run the FUEL PUMP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivxDYSmGjHc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9h_M6tBDLQ&NR=1

Use the CEL LIGHT on the dash to count codes!!