Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition (Read 989 times) previous topic - next topic

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Trying to diagnose a no start condition here, without throwing any parts at the car. This is for my 1980 Lincoln Continental Mark VI, which has the SEFI 5.0 HO w/ Mass Air setup from an '91 T-Bird transplanted into it.

The car has been sitting for the winter. Today, I went to the garage where I have her stored and tried to fire her up, but got nothing. I verified that the Fuel Pump is cutting on, and the EEC Relay is clicking each time that I turn the key to On. I went to check the fuel pressure at the schrader valve, and got nothing but air, fuel is not even getting there. I pulled the hose off of the send line, and verified that the pump is indeed pumping gas through the line like it should. Pulled the Vacuum line off of the Fuel Pressure Regulator, and didn't smell or see any gas coming out of the top. Could the Fuel Pressure Regulator be to blame here for fuel not getting through to the valve? I've never had that happen before if so. If not, what is the next thing I should check?

Thanks for any help. :bowdown:

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #1 –
It could be possible the fuel pressure iregulator is stuck shut although I don't think they are designed that way it could be closed off and you are right

Pull a vacuum on it and force it open and then retry

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #2 –
It could be possible the fuel pressure iregulator is stuck shut although I don't think they are designed that way it could be closed off and you are right

Pull a vacuum on it and force it open and then retry

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #3 –
If your getting fuel to the rail but not the shrader I would think the regulator would be the only cause

Never herd of this problem though

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #4 –
Yea, this is kind of strange, as I didn't think that the FPR could block fuel flow entirely. The car was fine before I parked it for the winter. Guess I'll pull out the vacuum pump and see if I can work it loose. If not, I have a spare NOS FPR that I bought for my 2.3 Bird awhile back that I could swap on, they should be the exact same piece. I'll give that a try today and report back.

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #5 –
Check it with starting fluid. This will tell ya fuel or spark.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #6 –
Well guys, after today I am truly stumped here. :punchballs:

I started off with applying vacuum to the FPR, still didn't free it up. Next, I went ahead and pulled the upper intake, the original FPR, and verified that pressurized fuel IS getting to the inlet side of the regulator (sprayed everywhere when I took it off), then I replaced the FPR with a new piece,  and put everything back together. Still no fuel getting to the schrader valve.
 
So, I pulled the upper intake again, and unscrewed the vacuum tree under the intake, blew through it and sure enough the vacuum branch going to the FPR was fully clogged somehow. Sprayed some carb cleaner into it, and then blew it back out with compressed air. Blew through it again, and now it was fully cleared. Thinking I had found and fixed the problem I put her back together, with a new vacuum line going from the tree to the FPR. Still nothing, no fuel even getting to the schrader valve. This makes no sense to me.....

Don't know where to go from here....:toilet:

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #7 –
Isn't your fuel pressure regulator on the return side? If it sticks shut it should cause excessive fuel pressure in the rails not starving. Is it possible that the pick-up on the pump is not submerged, loose, or broken.

turbo charged 94 Cobra engine/440cc injectors/megasquirt /5 speed swapped (T5)/maxbox upper intake/70mm PP throttle body/AJE coilovers/2003 Mustang control arms/S.T. sway bars/ES rear control arm bushings/11" brake conversion/manual rack conversion/8.8 TC rear with rear discs and a welded diff/3.73 gears/PLX wideband/199mph speedometer/Aeromotive FPR/CNC hydraulic hand brake/cobra R wheels/....ect.

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #8 –
Quote from: bryan163;410334
Isn't your fuel pressure regulator on the return side? If it sticks shut it should cause excessive fuel pressure in the rails not starving. Is it possible that the pick-up on the pump is not submerged, loose, or broken.

I believe it is on the return side.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #9 –
Hmm, seems almost like I could only be a clogged line...

If the fpr was full of , then the rest of your lines might be too.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #10 –
JUST A HINT!!    FPR is on the return line not on the feed line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep looking B  Wheeeeeee!!!!


Think Hard what would cause the fuel rail to have air in it under pressure????????????????????????????? Simple reason Think Hard B
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #11 –
Well, just came back from working on her again. I pulled the entire fuel rail assembly off, took the injectors/FPR back out, sprayed out the inside of the rails with carb cleaner, and blew them out with compressed air. Then disconnected the fuel lines from the tank, and blew them all back out as well. Put it all back together, and she fired right up. Apparently there was some crud blocking something up somewhere, where it was, I have no clue. BS ethanol laced gas.....Last time I ever put any of my cars in storage without adding some Stabil to the tank. I figured it would be something simple. I tend always go for the most complicated answers to a problem, and forget to always fall back to basics first. Thanks to those of you who did help. It will be nice to get to cruise in her again this summer, maybe take a trip out to Cape Hatteras with the 'ol lady.
 

Trying to Diagnose a No Start Condition

Reply #12 –
Cool.

turbo charged 94 Cobra engine/440cc injectors/megasquirt /5 speed swapped (T5)/maxbox upper intake/70mm PP throttle body/AJE coilovers/2003 Mustang control arms/S.T. sway bars/ES rear control arm bushings/11" brake conversion/manual rack conversion/8.8 TC rear with rear discs and a welded diff/3.73 gears/PLX wideband/199mph speedometer/Aeromotive FPR/CNC hydraulic hand brake/cobra R wheels/....ect.