924Board.org

[shanboxer]

I was driving along on the highway and all of a sudden the car just shut off. I tried starting it up, the ignition turns but it wont start. Could it be the fuel pump?? I have heard that they will go. It is a 1982 931. let me know where to start looking. THanks

[gohim]

The starter spins the engine, but is the camshaft turning?

When was the last time you replaced the timing belt?

Broken timing belt = bent valves.

If the engine sounds normal when cranking, plug in your spare fuel pump relay. You do carry a spare don't you?

[924RACR]

Simple stupid stuff first. Could be the fuel pump; could also be the fuel pump relay! Try jumping the relay first, see if it starts.

Did it make any evil noises, spool down, sputter, what?

_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[shanboxer]

IT did not make any bad or unusual noises, just was driving along and it seemed to not get gas anymore. I tried starting it and it sounded fine, just would not start. Any other ideas. Thanks

[Lizard]

First off is there gas in the tank? if yes then put car into the on position and see if you can feel the pump you should be able to feel slight vibrations. also how do you know it isn't getting gas, I have to agree with gohim check your timing belt, pull a fuel injector and see if it is squirting fuel

[Rick MacLaren]

You might want to try doing some preliminary diagnostics to help things along. Or checks.

When you turn the key to engage the starter, can you hear the fuel pump? They are usually quite loud. Yes or no.

Check over for electrical problems. Gohim's idea about the fuel pump relay is a good one. So too is inspecting the engine bay and under the dash for any obvious electrical problems like crossed wires. Chapter 3 of Haynes has a checklist of items to inspect in the fuel/electrical system.

Have you visually inspected your engine bay for big leaks? The rubber booty that feeds the turbo (they sometimes get very big holes from heat). How do the plastic gas lines look that feed the distributor? The gas line at the fuel pump? Is there power to it?

Nasally inspected (I can't believe I said that) for gas smells? Look to the fuel lines that feed the distributor. Smell around it. Looked for bad vaccuum lines? Water in your fuel? Did you put in 500 ml of gasline antifreeze? Can't hurt it.

I have NO idea what is causing your problem. You've gotta give us more clues. Look into Haynes.

[John H]

If jumping the fuel pump relay doesn’t get it going then look at the earths in the engine bay. First ensure that the clump of brown wires bolted to the bracket by the throttle body are ok and no broken wires. Next check the wire of the boost /over boost switch on the side of the charge tube. This is a switch like an oil sender on the side of the tube running to the throttle from the turbo. To check to see if the switch is the problem unplug the wire and then run another wire from the plug to earth. Try starting the car it starts then the switch is stuffed and cutting out the fuel pump.

Remove the lead from the coil to the distributor and wedge it so it’s a few millimetres from the body shell. Crank the motor and if there spark then the chances are it’s fuel. If not spark then you have to start looking at the fuel system.

[clhughart]

Also, try looking at the wire that comes into the computer behind the heater controls inside the car. My son's 931 would sometimes just quit and he would have to jiggle the wire connection. I have read other posts on this site that talk about this in more detail. If I remember correctly, his tach would mess up and it usually backfired before it actually quit. I'm sure some of these other guys can tell you more details. I agree that you need to check the camshaft. I had a mustang with a belt that slipped timing and it just quit while driving down the road at a steady speed with no warning.

[Silverarrow]

While you are checking electrics check the fuel pump fuse in the aux fuse box. Mine just quit like that and it was the fuse. I went through all the gyrations to check the fuel pump (not running) and discovered a glass fuse in th aux box was burned where I couldn't see it.