It has been running fine, zero issues.

Last Thursday I drove it into town, came back, backed it up and hooked it to my trailer. All is fine.
I came back 3 hours later to pull my light utility trailer and it won't start.
Engine turns over fine, but makes no effort to crank. I had between 1/2 and 1/4 tank of gas before this started.
I tried and tried and it never seemed to do more that just turn over and over.

I was in the process of moving, so I pulled it over to my neighbor's yard.
I went back yesterday, 5 days later and tried again.
The first time I tried, it tried to crank, the engine fired, but never hit on all cylinders and died within 5 seconds.
After that it just turned and turned till I ran the battery down.

It went from zero problems to not starting instantly.

I am thinking fuel pump or coil to kill it like that. The fact that it fired for a few seconds makes me wonder though. Maybe it is still the fuel pump but there was some residual fuel in the cylinders to make it fire for a few seconds.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

Have you checked the fuel pressure yet? It should be checked before you try to start the engine, then at idle then at 2000 RPM's
Mike

 

stupid question but how hard is that to do?

 

Pretty easy to do.
It would be easier to explain over the phone though, so send me your tele number and a good time for me to call you.
Mike
mikeljacobs@comcast.net

 

Sent, thanks Mike

 

Thanks very much for the tips Mike.

I had very little time and no tools so I did the following things:

When I first arrived, I took the cap off of the Schrader (sp) valve on the fuel rail.
I pressed the valve and a little fuel squirted out. I saw this as a good sign.
I tried to crank it. It ran for about 3 seconds and choked out.
I checked the valve again and this time NO fuel squirted out.
I tried to prime it by by going to the ON position several times with the key.
Still seemed to have NO pressure at the valve.
I didn't have a screwdriver or carb cleaner so I left it at that.
It still turns over fine, but never fires.

Today at lunch I will go by the parts store and order a fuel filter and pick up some Carb Cleaner/Starter Fluid.

I wonder if the fuel filter is clogged to the point that fuel only passes after it has had time to sit. ?????

Before it quit, I never noticed any cutting out or sputtering that is typically associated with a clogging fuel filter.

 

Most likely it is a fuel pump on its last legs. When a filter is obstructed, it usually still allows a engine to start, but it will idle rough, and not take any throttle (especially under load) as the obstruction does not allow enough volume of fuel to be delivered.

regards,

Geoman
www.eurotekapg.com

 

Do you have to drop the fuel tank to change the pump on this model?

 

Update: I found the fuel pump, doesn't look too tough to change.
Used carb cleaner to make the disco run for a few seconds, determined fuel is the problem.

I changed the fuel filter, still no luck.

It is so weird, when left alone for an hour or so, it builds a little fuel pressure, but doesn't seem to want to prime.

Is there a simple way to troubleshoot the relay?

Logic tells me that if I take the plug off the fuel pump and have someone cycle the switch, some combination of wires should give me 12 volts.
If I get 12 volts at the pump, in my opinion the pump is bad.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

THERE ARE MOST LIKELY TO PARTS TO THIS PROBLEM...
THE FUEL PUMP ON ITS LAST LEGS OR THE LINK LEAD TO THE FUEL PUMP.. THE EASIST WAY TO CHECK THIS IS TO UNPLUG THE HARNESS UNDER THE L/H/R WHEEL ARCH.. AND CHECK FOR POWER AT THE WHITE WIRE WITH THE PURPLE TRACE ON IT.. IF YOU HAVE POWER THERE THEN PLUG IT BACK IN AND REMOVE THE REAR CARPET AND UNSCREW THE INSPECTION PLATE COVERING THE THE FUEL PUMP... THEN CHCEK FOR POWER THERE WHEN CRANKING.. IF NO POWER ITS THE LEAD.. IF POWER IS PRESENT ITS THE PUMP... BOTH ARE A VERY COMMON FAULT.. IT MOST LIKELY WONT BE THE RELAY.. I HAVE ONLY CHANGED ONE IN 16 YEARS