Mysterious Starting Problems

[Ken Swee]

Hi! To Everybody out there! I've got this 1993 Holden Apollo (similar to a Camry V6- 3VZ-FE) which I've purchased 6 months ago, which is playing up on me...

It just refuse to start after a short drive and needs a couple of minutes rest before returning itself to normal. It happened twice in the past 2 weeks. And there's absolutely nothing I can do about it, except to wait for it to die on me.

A friend who is a service station advisor tipped it could be the Fuel Pump... or some sensors...

But there's no "Check-Engine" light indication.

The engine will crank up 1000+ rpm and die straight away, and the subsequent few cranks will never go past 500.

I've replaced the Timing-Belt and Water-Pump when i got my car and has been servicing it regularly. A set of TOP GUN Leads and NGK Iridium Sparks put-in last month when it was giving some mis-firing symptoms and it worked.

The last time i did something to it was to jump-start a friend's car, which is a week before these happened, using a computer-safe jump-cable.(Anyway, it didn't got the S13 started, which was totally flat-out due to the "Un-Off" headlamps... and I couldn't wait to charge the batt for him and he actually has another guy coming to help.And the 4x4 Batt actually worked.)

Thanks in advance to anyone out there offering a clue.

Cheers!

[zanglezonker]

Does it start if you open the throttle? If so try lubing the IAF with some triflow or at least cleaning it with carb cleaner.

[camlex]

Check and clean IACV= Idle Air control Valve+Throttlebody

[Kep]

I don't believe that a bad fuel pump will throw any codes. Not sure, but that is my recollection.

Kep

[Ken Swee]

Hi guys, thanks for all the suggestions... wanted to reply sooner but forgotten about my password, so no access.
But, anyway, it eventually die on me. I sent it to a wiring/electrical shop which a spare-part shop fella referred me to. And it was fixed in a couple of hours.

The Problem is: Wiring in the immobiliser has short the Fuel Pump wiring,
so no fuel supply.

Thanks again.

[zoni]

Originally Posted by Kep

I don't believe that a bad fuel pump will throw any codes. Not sure, but that is my recollection.

Kep

I know this thread is pretty much done, but i wanted to add something just for record (for search purposes)

When your car dies due to lack of fuel, (on an OBD2 car) usually it will throw a code for fuel/oxygen mix too lean.
I know this car happens to be OBD1, so I don't know for sure in this situation, but I just wanted to add that for future records.

[Ken Swee]

Originally Posted by zoni

I know this thread is pretty much done, but i wanted to add something just for record (for search purposes)

When your car dies due to lack of fuel, (on an OBD2 car) usually it will throw a code for fuel/oxygen mix too lean.
I know this car happens to be OBD1, so I don't know for sure in this situation, but I just wanted to add that for future records.

Sorry Mate, should've replied earlier, but i was bz with some school work.
As for the abv problem, there's absolutely no codes. B'cos there's no chance in gettin the engine started and and running with the Check Engine Light on.

Cheers!

[zoni]

your car isnt OBDII... but if it was, the code would be stored in memory and would be able to be read IF it was due to lack of fuel... and the codes are read with the key in the on position.

[Ken Swee]

OIC. If my baby is gonner die againon me, i'll definitely try gettin a extract of the codes... Thanks for that info mate...

[zoni]

i was trying to just put that info out there... foer people who might search to find this someday... it wont apply to your car... its for OBD2 cars...

[Ken Swee]

Oh... Okie... Thanks buddy.