1985 Honda CRX Can't start

DEADEY08

MEMBER
1985 HONDA CRX
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
285,645 MILES

I had a problem some time back with the car starting. If it sat for a while it would start fine. If I drove then a short later tried again I would have trouble. I got the car from my Dad who said that there was a problem with the fuel pump. The car sat for a while. I then replaced the fuel pump, screen, and fuel filter. There was plenty of fuel in the filter. Now the car will not start at all. I replaced all the spark plugs and still nothing. I took the filter off again and noticed there was little or no fuel in it. I believe it's not getting fuel to the engine. When I turn the key I hear the fuell pump engage about once every 20 or tries. What else should I look at? Could this still be a fuel pump problem or is there a relay of some sort that could be bad?

Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 2:49 PM

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Do you have a snapping blue spark coming from all sparkplug wires? If so check the yellow wire at the fuel pump connector for power no power test the main relay

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 3:09 PM

DEADEY08

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I don't know about that. Can I check the wire while it's off the plug and observe it while someone turns the key? Keepng in mind that my fuel filter is virtually empty. Should the fuel pump engage everytime I turn the key? If so, I hear it rarely. That's why I suspect a relay or what ever tells the pump to pump. Lol make sense?

But thanks for taking the time to answer. I really can't afford to take it to a shop.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 3:16 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Should the fuel pump engage everytime I turn the key? Of course otherwise its not gonna come On. The fuel pump gets its power from the main relay. If your getting power and fuel pump coming on-check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge-

Also while cranking the engine listen to the injectors are they clicking-meaning pulsing opening and closing-

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 3:21 PM

DEADEY08

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Again thanks. I haven't noticed or listened to the injectors. But I do know the pump does not engage everytime. I have wanted to change the relay but wasn't sure if that was a really possiblity. If I am not getting power to the yellow wire then it's the relay. And if I am getting power and the pump doesn't engage then it's the pump. I will have to try that I think.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 3:27 PM

RASMATAZ