'86 Mazda 626 fuel/starting problem, need help please?

Question

I've changed the fuel filter after the car would only start for 5 seconds when I spray starting fluid into the intake but that didn't fix it. I had a friend spray starting fluid in while I try to start the car and sometimes (like one out of 5 tries) it seems to start and the engine revs up with the pedal being pressed down but then it just dies like something's cutting out or getting a shut off signal or something like that. Is it a relay or is the pump failing or is there something else I need to look at. I've got a Chilton's manual but the pics are useless for locating actual electrical parts and connection locations. I don't have a lot of tools or money so I hope someone has had the same trouble and can step me through the fix. Any advice welcome. Thanks!

FYI the car has fuel injectors and is not a turbo.

The car was working fine. I stopped at a gas station on my way home for lunch. Ate lunch, came out, and it wouldn't start.

Answer 1

Well you seemed to have diagnosed and answered your own question.

It appears that you are not getting fuel into your system.

If you've already changed the fuel filter and that didn't fix it your next steps are usually to look at the fuel pump.

My mistake on the earlier response, you do have an electrical fuel pump. They went to those in 1986.

Here's information on the electrical fuel pump.

The have a nice testing section, so you can test to determine if your fuel pump went bad:

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/17/d9/60/0900823d8017d960.jsp

lil_lelorina -- Why are you redirecting this guy to spark? He has obviously stated the car runs when fuel is injected directly? The implication is that spark is sufficient, it's fuel that's missing. Redirecting him to look at spark plugs and unplugging the battery doesn't make any sense to me. Trying to understand why you said this.

Re: Your additional comments
I would have to say the likelihood of it being the fuel pump or the fuse to the fuel pump has gone up. And with everything you've described, I would definitely test the fuel pump to see if it's working and delivering enough pressure to your fuel rails. The other possibilties are the fuel pressure regulator has gone out, or your injectors are not firing and delivering fuel.

Test the fuel pump per the instructions in the above link. You should be able to hear the fuel pump working. If you can hear the fuel pump after following testing instructions above, then I'd start looking at the injectors and determine if they are delivering fuel.

Answer 2

Check fuel pump fuse with a test light if you have an electric fuel pump, if not ,disconnect fuel line from carb and stick it in a container ,have someone turn over motor for a few seconds to see if pump is working. you might want to blow back thru the line to make sure its not cloged .think back to when it first happened, did something out of the ordenary happen? did someone work on it? as far as manuals go, do you have the total car care manule or the white one? clymers and haynes also puts out manuals. you might want to try the libraray they usally have manuals. there are so many things that can go wrong its hard to diagnoss but at least you have start

Answer 3

Sounds like your fuel pump has gone out. If you have a Chilton auto manual look up your fuel pump pressure specifications. I think Auto Zone will rent fuel pump pressure gages. Your Chilton has a section for testing your fuel system.

Good Luck

Answer 4

try changing out your spark plugs...they maybe old and need replacing...if that doesnt work, take off the positive post(the right one when your looking at it)) keep it off for about 30 seconds.This should reset the brain, if it doesnt work; take it in to be looked at...