Possible fuel problem when starting??

[militarydave]

Ok... before I get hounded for "starting" a new thread about engine starting isssue(s), believe me, i've read about and hour and half's worth of thread reading, searching and googling, still, no solution to my problem-o.

here's the issue:

1999 1ZZ-FE (non VVT) - automatic 176k miles. the car will crank, turn, but will not turn over.

It has a new battery, alternator is tested (x3 times) and verified as GOOD or PASS, and Starter, of course is fine and dandy. all fuses are ok, not blown.

when I crank the car, it clicks. i give it gas, the car fires up. i drive around for about 3-5 minutes, turn off car, try to turn on again, the car clicks.

I give it two pumps at the gas pedal - car turns on just fine.

i've read it may be the fuel pump relay, the fuel pressure regulator, or last but not least the fuel pump.

i'm no genious, but wouldn't the car NOT start if the fuel pump relay was bad?

the car wouldnt drive 60+ miles if the fuel pump was bad?

this leads to me suspecting the fuel pressure regulator as the culprit.


anyone experience this before? i really dont want to pull out the backseat/trunk and remove the fuel pump.

if someone has this issue and/or knows the solution, please lemme know. its not a spark or ignition problem.

and yes, i've tested for fuel pressure and compression. fuel pressure was between 45-55 psi.

injectors are ok i suppose.


any suggestions, recommendations, and tips are highly appreciated!

thnx!

[militarydave]

footnote: I have tried, but cannot hear the fuel pump prime when engaged in accessory mode on the ignition switch (just before starting the car).

Also, I have discovered that there is NO FUEL FILTER (FILTER NOT SERVICEABLE) on this year model car. I would like for someone to confirm or deny this allegation.

thirdly, when i fill up the tank (lets say I have half a tank of fuel, then fill up), the needle on the dash gauge does not go all the way up. it SLOWLY Goes up, as I'm driving.

bad fuel pump float?

thoughts?

[Bennie]

It sounds like you're on the right track. I haven't had to replace anything fuel related on my Prizms but in general your symptoms sound like a bad regulator.

Can you tell me what the fuel pressure is at right after you turn off the car and right before you start it? One of the symptoms of a bad regulator is that it will bleed off pressure once you turn off the car. It should hold full pressure all the time. If the regulator bleeds down the pressure, when you go to start it it will take several seconds for the fuel pump to build up pressure again.

[randini667]

Does the car start hard after a long trip?

Do you have a CEL on?


(On Car Talk this week, a caller had starting issues. Ray and Tom thought that the excessive weather (heat) was making the fuel relay stubborn. They told her to roll the windows down and park somewhere air conditioned Just a thought, I'm no genius either.)

[militarydave]

no CEL lights