car broke again

[it'sHuskers4me]

I would think if the fuse popped the pump would have just quit instantly and instead of losing acceleration slowly the car would have just quit right on the spot.

If it is the fuel pump then when you turn the ignition it will literally just click. Without any gas it won't even attempt to start.

The car would still crank - Jezes

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

It could be a bad alternator or the belt to the alternator could have even come off.

Happened to me once. Popped the hood and there was the old belt just hangin' there. Battery won't charge and will lose all it's juice.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

The car would still crank - Jezes

I just pulled my fuel pump fuse out about a month ago and turned the key to bleed the fuel out of the pump so I could put a new filter on.

After a couple turns it just clicks.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

I mean, maybe I didn't state that clearly. You will definitely be able to tell if you're not getting any fuel at all when turning the ignition. Completely different sounds.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Seems like a fuel pressure reading would answer the fuel pump issue.

I like solving car issues...have to cuz I can't afford a new, used or completely dead new car. Almost all of my most recent car issues came down to a electrical problem. With ethanol in gas now, don't discount a failed fuel filter either.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

If it slowly lost it's power and now won't start, I would put my money on the battery losing its charge......in which case I would look to the alternator first.

 

[it'sHuskers4me]

I mean, maybe I didn't state that clearly. You will definitely be able to tell if you're not getting any fuel at all when turning the ignition. Completely different sounds.

It is easier to pull a spark plug to see if you are getting spark, just plug it back in and set it on the engine block & have some else crank it. Or if you want a real good time hold that plug while someone else is cranking - it will be an electric experience.

I replaced my fuel pump a little over a year ago and it fired right up, then again the fuel pumps immediately and in my truck the fuel doesn't have to travel far.

 

[it'sHuskers4me]

Also check the fuel filter it could be slightly clogged.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

It could be the fuel filter. I still would think the car would start back up even if it was slightly plugged up.

 

[iruletheskool]

Pretty sure RA was right about the fuse.. will try tomorrow

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

If it is the fuse your car literally would quit on the spot. You would come to a rolling stop.

It can't continue without power to the fuel pump.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

I'm guessing RA thought you meant that the car lost acceleration immediately and came to a stop.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

I guess if it was your alternator one of the things you would have noticed is your lights would have slowly gotten dimmer as the car lost acceleration.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

Did you get it fixed, stool?

 

[it'sHuskers4me]

It is great to see the help being given here - and we are starting with the cheapest fixes first. My best friend's son had a similar problem with rough driving and losing power. The kid was enrolled in college for auto mechanics at the time. He came to the conclusion that his catalytic converter was clogged and removed it. His dad later checked the fuses and one was bad so dad replaced it. My best friend said, "What company is going to hire a dumbass to start cutting things off other people's car without the need to." Needless to say the kid washed out of college and does unskilled labor work now.

 

[iruletheskool]

Nope jjm, lookin at thee fuel pump today

Had no time yesterdee

 

[HuskerInSecLand]

You can check it by trying to start it while you spray some starter fluid in to the air breather. If it starts (will only run a few seconds) you got a fuel problem. If it doesn't you probably got a spark problem.

 

[iruletheskool]

Will try that thar

 

[huskers1217]

i had a 1998 ford tempo. I loved that car. all wheel drive for the snow en sech.

one day i was driving from Philly to Lincoln and the car stopped on a busy ass chicago highway. fuel pump....that day sucked.

 

[it'sHuskers4me]

Well Chief they called that model a Ford Tampax for good reason!
I''d bet the traffic was real heavy there in Chi town during the break down.