Engine shut off while driving and will not start without starting fluid

AKRAGNESS

MEMBER
1996 TOYOTA TERCEL
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

To get the car to fire you need starting fluid and one of the little hoses right past the throttle body disconnected. I sprayed a little starting fluid in where that hose is, and then in the other holes right before the throttle body. I can get it to pop off and run for 10 seconds then it shuts off.

Thursday, December 16th, 2021 AT 9:08 AM

3 Replies

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

So, it appears the engine is not getting any fuel. When you turn the key to the on position, can you hear the fuel pump come on?

Also, can you upload a picture of the disconnected hose?
The hose could be the vacuum hose that connects to the fuel pressure regulator.

I have attached diagrams below for your reference.

Please let me know.
Thank you.

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Thursday, December 16th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM

AKRAGNESS

MEMBER
1 POST

Fuel return hose line is the one I can get it to fire with disconnected. No noise coming from the pump as far as I know so leaning towards that being the issue. Also, the way it shut off over a mile probably coasting down the highway and came to a stop still idling but with no response to the throttle the whole way coming to a stop. It looks like that throttle cable is extremely slack like it should be tighter. Wonder if they had something to do with it.

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Thursday, December 16th, 2021 AT 11:23 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Well, if you are not getting any fuel, then it could be due to an inoperative pump. As you said you cannot hear the pump. An inoperative pump can be due to a few reasons, it could be simple as a bad fuel pump relay.

Keep in mind, if throttle cable was the main issue, then it would still start but you won't get any response from pressing the accelerator pedal.

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