legacycentral bbs

My girlfriend and I just got back from our tow truck ride. Here's what happened:

We drove for an hour to go to see a movie. Car was fine. I shut the car off, got out, looked at showtimes and went to start it up. It just cranks and shakes. Nothing. I was gone maybe 2 minutes and the car had been fine all day, we'd been using the car all day. Got home from the hour tow truck ride, and it still won't start.

I did some searching, coolant temp sensor makes sense, but I just replaced it over the summer. This past July the legacy got new plugs, new wires, a new timing belt, new temp sensor, knock sensor.

Now yesterday, I had this same issue, so I checked codes and there was nothing, I fiddled with some wires, tried to start it and it wouldn't go. Waited a few more minutes, and it was fine, fired up. What's going on?

It's dark and snowing out, but I guess tomorrow I'll check plugs and go from there. Any ideas?

EDIT:

Well, it's fixed now. I tested all connectors and the pump relay, and everything was fine. I pulled the pump out of the tank, and here's what I found:



That's the negative lead that goes directly to the fuel pump. Definately bad. I cut out the leads for the fuel pump and ran 2 wires through it to the connector outside the pump. I also added an extra ground.

Now, I read the threads on bad fuel pump connectors, but I hadn't run into any that had this part of the connector that was bad. I was just taking the pump out to get a new one, when I noticed the wire coating was melted off. So for anyone else with similar problems, dont forget to check the connector inside the tank!

Maybe its the fuel pump? not kicking in sometimes? I'm not sure though.

I tried to fire it a couple more times, and then pulled a plug. It was bone dry. I think I'll disconnect the fuel filter and see if when I turn the key I get any gas coming out of the line that goes into the filter.

n2x4 wrote:I tried to fire it a couple more times, and then pulled a plug. It was bone dry. I think I'll disconnect the fuel filter and see if when I turn the key I get any gas coming out of the line that goes into the filter.

maybe the filter is clogged. but i thought there was a relay of some sort?

n2x4 wrote:I tried to fire it a couple more times, and then pulled a plug. It was bone dry. I think I'll disconnect the fuel filter and see if when I turn the key I get any gas coming out of the line that goes into the filter.

I wouldn't do that myself. That'll be a lot of fuel spraying around.

I think it's a sensor myself. If it was something like the fuel filter, it would happen all the time, warm or cold. I still think coolant temp sensor - maybe this one is just broken again.

I just disconnected the inlet line on the fuel filter and set it in a can. Turned the key to prime, nothing came out. Tried to start it up, still nothing. Nothing comes out of the line, so it's before the fuel filter.

I guess next I need to check the fuel pump stuff. I was hoping it was only the coolant sensor, but I think that's not the case now.

I was down to about 1/4 tank thursday, so I put about 10 gallons in, and my problems started friday. Could it be ice in the lines? Contemplating taking that fuel line off and pouring some heet down it.

I guess I still dunno. It's too cold to think. I'll keep trying and report back.

Just a follow up. Drove my car today, and it's amazing the difference! I had some hesitation on the low end, and I've got no loss of power now. It feels better than it ever has.

my old 91 legacy had this same issue when it was hot out and there was some spirited driving involved, after I shot her down there was no restart, unless I popped the hood and cooled it down. So yesterday I was driving home and I stopped at Stop and shop for some bread when I came out and tried to start there was nothing. All my lights came on and radio was working but not even a click from the starter. Popped the hood and waited five minutes tried to start and sounded weak but after a second it started right up. Any thoughts? Or should I just start investigating the fuel lines?

Also not sure if it's related or not but the gas gauge is not working properly.