1985 Pontiac Firebird Fuel problem? Not sure!

85FIREBIRD

MEMBER
1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
98,000 MILES

Hello,
1985 Firebird, 2.8 ltr base model.
Replaced fuel pump about 5 years ago, only driven 8000 miles max since then.
Had fuel injector system cleaned and car ran fine. Started car, drove about 200 feet and died, tried to automatically start again because I have remote starting.
Car would not start, checked fuel pressure at the rail and the tester showed zero pressure.
I can hear the fuel pump prime for about 2 seconds when I turn the key.
Have replaced the filter and the fuel pump relay and still nothing.
Could it be the pressure regulator or possibly even the ECM?
I am at wits end on trying to figure this out, please help.

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Car would not start, checked fuel pressure at the rail and the tester showed zero pressure

It can be coming on but is it doing its job-seems to me it went southbound or its got an excessive pressure leak from the injectors or fuel pressure regulator

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 AT 1:47 AM

85FIREBIRD

MEMBER
3 POSTS

This may be an out of this world question but I started thinking about an alarm system I had installed in 2004, it is a python 1600xp system and the only item I never had activated on it was the power window feature (obviously because I do not have power windows)
I was thinking about when the car died and would not start.
When it quit running (my wife was driving it), I remember going outside and I noticed that the car kept trying to start automatically (it has remote start) which was very odd seeing how she had put the key in the ignition, placed it in gear and started driving.
I went out to the car tonight and checked on resetting the valet function, when I did that it seemed as though the car wanted to start but still wouldn't.
I also noticed tonight that during the entire time that I tried to start the car I heard the fuel pump priming. I had not heard it trying to prime while I have turned the key until I reset the valet feature.
Could there be an issue with the alarm system keeping the car from starting? If so, how would I correct that?
Thank you!

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 AT 9:58 PM

BDOGG0070

MECHANIC
42 POSTS

I had pretty much the same thing go on with my camaro. You could hear the fuel pump, broke the line and looked like a lot of fuel. Rasmataz told me to check the fuel pressure and the gauge showed zero. I replaced it and it was fine. Funny thing was that after taking the old one out I decided to see what the pump was pushing and it would still shoot gas ten feet out. My car would still crank and run but not good enough to even attempt driving. But mine is tbi injection. I was working on a S-10 and checked that fuel pressure and it showed 40 psi but would not start. Did some checking and it requires minimum 60 psi. The S-10 has the spider injection system so that just tells me that multi port's definately need the min. Pressure so I would not just blow off his advice.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Thursday, October 14th, 2010 AT 9:54 PM

85FIREBIRD

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I most definately am not "blowing" off anyones advice, I have utmost respect for Rasmataz and his suggestions.

Part of me was just hoping that maybe it could have been something else.

I believe that Rasmataz is correct and I will be having the car brought into the shop because I can not do the work here where I live.

I think I will go with a 255 lph pump to ensure I have sufficient pressure, even though the regulator will only allow so much. I am still debating between the Walbro and HFP-343 but leaning more towards the HFP.

Thanks all for everything you do here.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Thursday, October 14th, 2010 AT 11:00 PM