Starting problem

[awildman]

My trusty 94 corolla finally let me down. On my way home the engine began stumbling, so i pulled over. It died, and won't start now. It cranks just fine, but it won't start.

What should i start checking first? spark? If spark is fine, how do i go about checking the fuel system? Car has 225k miles, and most likely has the original fuel pump. I don't have money to throw parts at the vehicle, and would like to know what is wrong with it for sure before putting money into it.

Suggestions?

[NWMO 95 Prizm Lsi]

wildman,

Spark is the easiest to check and a good starting point. Fuel/injectors is more difficult without the proper tools/guages. When I was chasing a miss and was concerned about fuel supply, I did pull the return line just past the pressure release valve. You need something of size to catch the fuel and it doesn't take long if pressure is correct. I was using the bottom portion of an old milk jug and it seems like it took about 10-15 seconds to put a couple of inches of gas in it when the car was running.

I've not put numbers to it, but the fuel must make a hundred or more trips to the motor before it finally gets burned .

Do you know when the timing belt was last changed? If it was original, you may have shredded it. I understand these to be non-interference motors so a new belt would likely get you going again, but, I have read a few posts that would indicate it may not be that simple.

Chris

[awildman]

Timing belt is fine. It was changed about 20k ago. The engine was stumbling for 3 or 4 minutes, and it wouldn't do that if the timing belt was broken.

Thanks for the tip on checking fuel pump volume. If it has spark, i'll check that next, since that return line is really easy to get to.

[awildman]

BTW, does anybody know if the fuel pump only kicks in when cranking the engine? i've never heard the fuel pump come on with the key in the run position.

[NWMO 95 Prizm Lsi]

wildman,

The manuals indicate the pump should provide pressure with key on, but that was not my experience. I only got pressure when cranking.

There is the primary fuel system relay under the hood (with the other fuses etc.) and there is also one right behind and to the left of the stereo. This relay is specific to the fuel pump. If your not getting fuel and the main relay looks good, I would check for voltage at the pump to see where to go next. If no or low voltage, I would pull the stereo and check that relay.

Chris

[awildman]

There was no spark, so i started checking things. Discovered a faulty ignition coil. thanks for your help.