No gas to the pump
 

I have a problem with my '83 280ZX. I recentally bought a new fuel pump for it then cleaned out the gas tank and when i turn the key I can hear the pump turn on then stop but Fuel isn't even getting as far as the pump! Anyone have any Ideas? I tried blowing the lines clear and it didnt seem to help at all.

You didnt wire the pump up backwards did you? That will mess you up. Installing it backwards will do ya wrong too. Check both of those.

Did ya prime the lines w/ fuel? If it all drains out, sometimes enough air will get trapped in the lines, that it's hard for the fuel pump to get any fuel. Open up the hatch, pull off the round inspection plate, disconnect the fuel out line & see if it's wet.

I know I didn't install it backwards because I don't think the Fuel lines will fit the other way around. although the wires could be on the wrong way... I'll have to check on that one. I'll check the lines too. Thanks! :) I hope I can get to it tomorrow and I'll let you guys know. BTW... How would I prime the lines, suck through the pump?

:) I'm pretty sure that's what he meant in the first place...


Rod.

Is there some sort of valve under the hood used to 'bleed' the fuel lines?

Nope... but you could disconnect the return line after the fuel pressure reg (easiest would be up front by the #1 spark plug) & just let the fuel pump go.

Scratch that.... do it before the fuel pressure reg... like at the fuel filter.

If the above dont work I would try running it out of a can and see if it picks up. At 20+ years its not uncommon for rust holes to develop in the steel pick line causing it to suck air and not pick up gas....

Well, I went out and bought four feet of fuel line and ran it out of a gas tank. And it worked! I got fuel to through the lines and come out the return line. but the car still wouldn't start :( any Ideas? possiably the injectors?

Go get yourself a noid light from autozone. They'll loan it to you. It will tell you if the ECU is firing the injectors. Check your fuel pressure. And finally, do you have spark? Are you sure it's a fuel problem?

Well, I know this is bad but I used a little starting fluid and the car was running that way. Does that change anything?

thats what i had to do to mine to get it to run and it only ran for a few seconds. I changed out the fuel filter and it fired right up, my guess it had bad gass from sitting in the tank for so long.

I just bought a new filter lastnight. No change :(

I will be checking for a spark and to see if the plugs are wet today.

If it ran off of starting fluid then it's a fuel delivery problem. Get down to an autozone and borrow that noid light set to see if your injectors are firing. I doubt all your injectors would be bad but if the ECU is faulty or the dropping resistor or any of the circuitry of either one is bad then your cars not going to run.

Well, auto zone didn't have the noid light but I pulled off one of the fuel injectors and turned it over... nothing. fuels IS getting to the injector but not past it. I tested the voltage and I was only getting about a hundreth of a volt to it. Shouldn't I be getting about 12V?

I'm off to work for now. I'll check back either later tonight or tomorrow. Thanks.

Check your dropping resistor. It's located on the driver side of the engine compartment near the washer reservoir. It's a metal piece with a large connector coming out the bottom.

Also check to make sure your EFI relay is working and all it's wiring is in good shape. If you dont have a multimeter, get one. It's a very valuable tool with these old cars cause electrical gremilins will wreak havoc on you. If you've got power to your dropping resistor but not after then it's your problem. If you've got no power to your dropping resistor then it's most likely the EFI relay/circuit.

And remember, the green wires going to the fuel injectors should have voltage as long as the ignition is on. The other wire going to each fuel injector is only going to get power when the ECU gives it power.

What kind of problems were you having to start with to make you replace the pump? Do as stated verify the injecters are firing and check your fuel pressure.....