1987 Acura Integra car starts once every other day but that

Tiny
THOR98337
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 ACURA INTEGRA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 290,000 MILES
Hello, My integra will start once and heat up and all that good stuff, but once I turn the car off it will not start again for an other day. I have the service manual and have done everything that its told me to do, I believe that it is my fuel pump since it make's noise for 2 seconds and then starts the car, but once I turn off the car it makes no noise. I dont want to replace parts if they are not the problem. I have already replaced the ecu and that was not it. Don't know what to do, if you have any suggestions that would be great. Thanks for your time.
Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 7:43 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
I would check the fuel pump relay first before doing anything else.

Let me know if that fixes it or not.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
THOR98337
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I have checked to voltage to the pump (when it does not run) and there is nothing there. I have checked the main relay and it says it is getting power there. Then I check the wires and they are all good, even checked all the fuse's. Going to try to see if it has power to it today. Thanks for the help I will let you know what happens.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
THOR98337
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The pump makes noise now for the about two seconds. i have not started the car though and not sure on what to do. i am sending a picture of something near the fuse box that looks like someone put into the system. let me know what i should do now that the pump makes noise. thanks again


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/337405_Picture_1.jpg

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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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  • 10,386 POSTS
Cannot say I know what that is.

You say the pump is turning on now. Check for pressure.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
THOR98337
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  • 12 POSTS
Yeah, the flow of the fuel is very low, when I check the return from the pressure regulator. It just drips out of the hose when I turn the car to the "on" position. Could this mean my fuel lines are clogged? Or maybe the fuel filter? I do not have a pressure gauge to check pressure, but I know that is one way to check the pressure. Should be 7.8 ounces in ten seconds. Let me know and thanks again for the help.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
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That is pretty low. Are you getting twelve volts to the pump? Fuel filter could be plugged or a line kinked. Or the fuel pressure regulator stuck open. Pinch off the return line and try to start it, does that build the pressure? Do not leave the return line pinched long. With the ounces in seconds that is a good way for volume and you cannot have volume without pressure. Dump gas down the throttle body. Will it start?
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
THOR98337
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Yes, I checked the voltage and I am getting nothing to the pump, even when it makes the noise that it is working. Going to try to replace the filter, have not yet tried to pinch off the return line, getting late. Will try tomorrow. I will let you know about my progress. Thanks again.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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Just thought I would ad this; when I went to put the return fuel line back to the pressure regulator, the line had a lot of fuel in it, thought it was weird that the return line had a lot of fuel pressure for a return line. Do not know if it is anything just thought I would ad it to the list of things.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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Let me know.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
THOR98337
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  • 12 POSTS
Hey, when I put fuel in the throttle body it kind of starts, but not a full start, and when the pump actually makes sound it does not do it for long. Say if it makes noise and the I wait like and hour then it will not make the noise again. Still I wait like and whole twelve hours or so more. Do not know. I am at a loss right now.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
THOR98337
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The fuel pump is what is wrong. I have to hit it two or three times to get it running and then it works fine. So I guess that I need a new fuel pump. Right?
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Could be that if the pump is getting power each time, but it needs to find a good part on the brush for it to work.

If it takes two or three times for it to get the power it might be a bad ignition switch or fuel pump relay.

Or if it is getting the pump on each time but it takes three key turns to get it to start the pressure may be being bleed off of the system.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
THOR98337
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What is going on is that I have to hit the fuel pump once or twice and then it will run fine but once I turn the car off (if the fuel pump does not turn on) then I have to turn the key of hit it once or twice again then it will run like nothings wrong. Just took it for a fifteen minute drive and had no problems with anything.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Defintely could be the pump wearing out. Turn key on and bang on tank. Does that cause it to turn on? If so pumps bad.

If not you might have a bad relay.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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Alright I will give that a try and let you know what happens. Thanks
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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No problem. I wish you luck with the cheapest repair possible!
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Monday, January 23rd, 2017 AT 4:26 PM

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