On Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:40:28 -0700, jim beam > wrote:

>On 06/15/2012 09:27 AM, John M. wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> My car has about 375,000 mile on it. Around 200 the relay was
>> resoldered and it worked fine. Somewhere around 300 (very loose
>> estimate) it started acting up again so I bought and installed an
>> aftermarket relay. Around this same time I had to replace the fuel
>> pump (which gave me plenty of warning of imminent failure).
>>
>> Just recently it started acting up again but it's a little different
>> this time. One day after work about a month ago (Florida = warm
>> weather), with the car parked outside, it wouldn't start after a try
>> or two. Then on the third it did. This wasn't a 10 minute wait but
>> only a few. It happened again a few times within the next week. Once
>> while I was getting ready to go to work it happened.
>>
>> I resoldered the aftermarket relay and it was still acting up. I
>> still had the original relay so I tried resoldering and installing
>> it......still acting up. I then (foolishly?) bought and installed a
>> new pump. Damn!
>>
>> Sometimes it fails and then on the 'next' crank it start rights up.
>> Other times I turn the key, I don't hear the pump, and after a few
>> seconds without touching the key I do hear it and it will then start.
>> Right now it's in a no start mode and I'm hoping it will start soon.
>>
>> So, I've done a little reading in my archives of this newsgroup and
>> have come to two possibilities. The ground for the fuel pump or maybe
>> the ignition switch. Just to note: Once started it does not stall (so
>> far).
>>
>> Upon further reading on the web as I write this: maybe the ecu?
>>
>> Any other ideas?
>
>sure - in addition to the ignition switch, there's a switch on the
>transmission gear selector. these things are terrible for gumming up
>over time and poor contact being made. remove, clean off with solvent,
>then re-grease and reassemble.
>
>but also check the ignition switch. if your keyring has a bunch of junk
>on it, it can hold the key cylinder slightly out of position and affect
>the electrical contacts, particularly if this has been going on for a while.
>
>
>>
>> Also, I just threw my back out and can't do a lot of digging around.
>> Does anybody know where the ground for the pump is on this particular
>> year?
>
>there's a bunch of grounds for this circuit. the one for the pump is
>visible when you take the rear seat out. the ones near the relay are
>under the dash.
>
>
>> (Upon further reading I think it's on the thermostat housing -
>> cleaned and still no start)
>>
>> I hope I haven't left anything out.
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> John M.
>
>get a meter and watch what happens to the electrical input to the pump
>when switched and relayed. work back from there.
>
>but check out the transmission selector and ignition switches too. it's
>worth working on both of them because they get gummed up at around your
>age of vehicle anyway.

In case you're curious I had to put this off because of my back. Maybe
in a week. And, FWIW, when I jumped the ECU for the codes the pump
started okay and has since.
--

John M.