My car only starts sometimes why?

[coreydmc]

I have had my car about 20 years. It has all the updates completed. I really dont drive it very often and never had any start up issues at all until recently. All the fuel components were replaced by grady around 7 years ago. I remember when I first turned the key I would hear the accumulator humming in the console for a few seconds. Now I dont hear it at all. Is that why im having issues starting my car now?

[sdg3205]

That's the pump priming.

It ought to be humming when you first turn the key to the second position.

Rpm relay may be on its way out.

[coreydmc]

thanks Dave. Ill check the rpm relay today. Can I replace the rpm relay from a local auto store?

[jmpdmc]

If the RPM relay is the problem, I suggest you replace it from here: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze109dmk/ Dave makes a great product and I have been a user of the relay for about 3-4 years now.



Jeff

[David T]

thanks Dave. Ill check the rpm relay today. Can I replace the rpm relay from a local auto store?

No, but you can jumper it out temporarily to confirm that it is the problem. A sudden no-start is usually going to be a problem with the fuel pump not running (for one of several reasons) or a rusty connection on the white ballast resistor (it's on the firewall in front of the motor).
David Teitelbaum

[coreydmc]

thanks guys. Ill use a jumper wire to test relay and clean connectors on fire wall. stay tuned!

[coreydmc]

Ok.....I cleaned the connectors on the resistor on the firewall and still no start. I also pulled up plunger on inertia switch and put it back down and no start. Then I used a jumper wire on the RPM relay and it started right up. After it ran for 2 minutes I shut the car off removed jumper, plugged RPM relay back in and car still started. However I do not have the humming noise in the center console when the ignition is on the 2nd position. My guess is the car starts because the system is primed and pressurized because it was just running. With what I just explained is the RPM relay bad? Anything else I should check or is the problem solved? If so I will upgrade to Dave T's model. I just bought that relay 8 months ago from huston. Stupid nos parts!!!

[kings1527]

Definitely sounds like the RPM relay to me. You could go with another NOS relay or you could go with Dave's solid state relay and never have to worry about it again!

[ccurzio]

Get Dave's. It's excellent. Don't even bother with the original one.

[Elvis]

Priming or not priming makes no difference, my car NEVER primed but even after the winter
sleep it starts within 2 seconds of cranking.


If your can hold a soldering iron you may be able to repair the rpm relay in a few seconds.

It's a known fact that the relays switch contacts that are soldered to the PCB may get loose.

repair it yourself, be happy and enjoy the hero-beer afterwards :-)

[David T]

Priming or not priming makes no difference, my car NEVER primed but even after the winter
sleep it starts within 2 seconds of cranking.


If your can hold a soldering iron you may be able to repair the rpm relay in a few seconds.

It's a known fact that the relays switch contacts that are soldered to the PCB may get loose.

repair it yourself, be happy and enjoy the hero-beer afterwards :-)

Definitely sounds like the RPM relay now. I would check all of the electrical connections in the pump circuit. When you have trouble you overheat the whole circuit. Especially fuse #7 in the fuse-block. Make sure the inertia switch is on the side of the footwell by the bonnet release and has a splotch of white paint on it. Check the fuel pump to see if the connections got wet and rusty. If the pump is noisy it is on it's way out and will draw excessive current. You can probably fix your RPM relay but you may still want to get another as a spare. At least keep a jumper handy!
David Teitelbaum

[sdg3205]

Yup, $80 for Dave's relay is a no brainier. It's a must do upgrade IMHO.

[kings1527]

Yup, $80 for Dave's relay is a no brainier. It's a must do upgrade IMHO.

A big Dave Hester "Yuuuuuuuup"!

[refugeefromcalif]

Yup, $80 for Dave's relay is a no brainier. It's a must do upgrade IMHO.

Mine came in todays mail. Going out to install it in a few minutes. :)
I'll post my results.

George

[SS Spoiler]

Dave just posted that mine is on the way.

Paul Cerny #2691
Kakispell, MT