I can't believe I'm doing this...

[Mike M.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

sorry to hear of the car's failure.if i had a c-4 fuel pump, i'd get it to you . but like the small pa town u r stranded in, no auto stores open here in cumberland till tuesday. if u get it running, you can still stop by. i'm home all week. mike mccagh

[John F.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

I hear optispark were a problem with these cars.

[Mark E.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Thanks Dave.

Wouldn't Opti-spark or ECM failure trigger a trouble code?

Even though I'm not certain it's the fuel pump, I'm changing it today. It's available at NAPA 8 miles away, they're open today, it's not expensive, and it's easy to R&R. The motel owner graciously offered to be my parts runner. Wish me luck.

And thanks for the Torx and socket sizes... I was wondering about that.

I also hope it's not a bad a fuel pump relay. I understand they are under the right kick panel and hard to reach.

[Mark E.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

I replaced the fuel pump which took less than an hour. The engine still does not start but symptoms are different-

- When ignition is turned on, the fuel pump now runs for a second or two then stops (all normal). Before, the old pump made an intermittent louder noise then stopped working altogether.

- When starting, the engine runs for a second then dies. Before it would crank, no start.

- The fuel gauge now reads empty (with the tank half full). The sending unit may have been damaged while replacing the pump or I didn't re-connect something. There are only two electrical connectors that were disconnected/reconnected and that seemed to go smoothly.

So it's time for a mechanic who can diagnose the problem. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge or voltage tester so can't do much more on my own.

Stay tuned.

[Mark E.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Let's use the onboard diagnostics, which will display History Codes as well as current codes.

At the diagnostic connector (above the seated driver's right knee), with the key OFF, jumper the top right cavity to the bottom left cavity. (Because the connector is vertical, "top" is the same as "rear".

Turn the key to RUN. Watch the speedo. Note the codes including any "C" and "H" prefix. (Some codes may have both). In the upper left of the LCD, there is a smaller number for the "Module". 1=CCM and 4=ECM. Note the module number for the codes displayed. When the system reaches the end, "---" is displayed. If you wish to repeat the readout, turn the key OFF, and back on. It will do it again. (There is a lot to learn about the onboard diagnostics, and it is a powerful tool. This is all you need to know and do for now to pull the H codes.)

Codes of interest will be Module 1 Code 41 (communication error; ECM problem), 51, and 54 (both VATS-related). Module 4 Code 16 and 36 (opti codes).

Thanks Dave. I checked codes prior to working on it... no codes. This '93 has the older OBD design that flashes the Service Engine light to signal the code.

Probably a good idea to check them again after my handiwork.

[Mark E.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

With no codes, and time to think about it, my theory is the fuel filter clogged causing the pump to burn out. It's not practical or safe to change the filter in the motel parking lot so we wait for a shop to look at it. The local folks are amazingly helpful. I already have the names of the best mechanics in town.

Stay tuned for how this turns out...

[Michael J.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Very happy to hear this, nothing like being stuck with a broken down car in the middle of nowhere. Good to see there is C4 expertise here too (well done Dave!). I know zero about those cars, they always seemed very modern and too much digital electronic gadgets for an old analog mechanical person who stopped understanding and repairing old Corvettes with C2s.

[Mark F.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Happy 4th to all......I just got off the phone with Mark. The car is running, and he is resuming his trip.

Happy 4th to you as well, Dave,

Was the fuel filter the culprit?

[Tim G.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Mark, I'm so glad you're back on the road. I was concerned about how you were going to get the new car home.

I hope the remainder of your trip goes well.

[Mark D.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

That is good news!

[Eric P.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Mark, great to hear you are back on the road! Safe travels and keep us posted on your progress...

Dave, Thanks for all the technical advice you shared on this post, and the support to Mark on his journey.

This is what the NCRS is all about!

[Leo G.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Mark

Great to hear your trip is back in progress, but what was the cause?

Drive em safe

Leo

[Mark E.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

This is embarrassing but the cause of problem is the car was out of gas. In my defense, I'd like to say the root cause is a highly inaccurate fuel gauge. It turns out it reads full until about 10 gallons left, then reads 2/3 full until it's empty. When the car quit it read 2/3 full- this is after I had driven about 100 miles since I got the car with a "full" tank. Adding to the confusion is the original fuel pump made some louder than normal noises during the event, then stopped making any noise. Running on empty may have cooked it.

While replacing the fuel pump yesterday, I didn't check the gas level in the tank (rookie mistake). When I tried to start the car with the new pump, the fuel gauge read empty/reserve. I assumed I broke the sending unit during the R&R.

Then a little voice woke me up 2AM this morning: "Mark, check the fuel level." At dawn I pulled the sending unit and peered into the the tank. After waiting a couple of hours for AAA to deliver two gallons of fuel I was on the road again.

I want to thank you all for your advice and support; it made a difference as I sorted this out.

[Mark E.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

Today I traveled from Tiona in northern PA to Cumberland, MD. Highways 6, 66, and 219 are an amazing driving experience through the Alleghenies... sweeping turns, changing elevations provide an excuse to practice shifting, double clutching, and smooth transitions. I even passed through a small town in time to join their 4th of July car show.

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But the highlight of the day was the opportunity to meet fellow NCRS member and past-president Mike McCagh, and have a beer at his beautiful home and shop. He's currently putting together a '57 fuelie (in the photo) that he rescued from a difficult past. Mike's a true gentleman and real car guy.

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Tomorrow I tackle the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Happy 4th!

[Owen L.]

Re: I can't believe I'm doing this...

I gotta say I'm loving this adventure!

So glad it was only a gauge issue - so the replacement pump had an unintended fix to the fuel gauge or are you still going to have to track mileage to know when to fill?

My faith is restored in the car!