pretty sure my fuel pumps went out

[punchit]

Ok well i changed the "dog bone" cable today and drove to comp usa to pick up some stuff. Well when i started my car it hesistated to start so i turned it off then restarted it and turned on no problem. I got to wells fargo to get some of the very little cash i have and tried to start my car. Obviously it didnt start. The reason i think its my fuel pumps and not my battery is because when i turn the key to "on" i can normally hear the gas pumping from the fuel pump. I didnt hear that this time and tried for a second time and could hear the starter clicking but it just wouldnt turn over. Soo i am guessing its the fuel pumps because it has 103 k and i odnt think they have been replaced. Any advice would be great thanks.

[AT6svo]

I'll bet $$ its not a pump issue but one that is certainly electrical in nature.

The situation describe sounds very much like a battery failure or an alternator than is no longer charing the battery.

Poor electrical connections, particularly bad grounds can cause the same types of problems as well.

My suggestion
1. Clean the battery terminals and cables that attach to the batt. Check batt fluid levels.
2. Check/clean the major grounds, near the batt and engine to firewall ground.
3. Attempt a bump or jump start.

If it bump (push) starts then its the batt as the alt would be providing electrical power then. If it can't bump the alt is suspect and batt maybe drained doe to over usage. Then a jump start should work.

I know batteries have shorter life span out there due to the intense heat of the climate.

Not to sound like a bastard but you didn't think buying a used 20 year old car with over 100K on the clock for only $1800 wasn't going to come with its fair share of problems?

My 84 was bought for $900 and was far worse than the problems you are having with yours. Hang in there.

[SVOeric]

yea -- you have a battery/charging problem --

one of the terminals on the back of the alternator is just a push-on -- make sure it is pushed on good for starters.

Charge the battery, start the car, and let it idle for a while, with the headlights, and heater (or ac) running at max

[Todd]

I had the same problem the other day. I thought I had a starter going out. Turns out it was the neg on the battery. The wire was lose in the clamp. Will the interior light come on. Mine would come on until I tried to start the car, then it would go out for a few seconds then come back on. I started wiggling wires and traced it down.
If it was your fuel pump the engine would still turn over it just wouldn't have gas to burn.
You might try tapping the starter with a hammer. If it is the starter sometimes that will shake it up enough to where it will start. (Shade tree technique)

[Eyelawdoc]

The guys above are right. You have an electrical, not a fuel pump problem. A clicking solenoid indicates not enough juice is getting to it to complete the circuit to the starter. Start with the battery, battery cable connections, battery cables and proceed from there.

Another common cause for the symptoms you describe is a bad ignition switch. They come apart at the joint and thnigs like the fuel pumps and starter go away. You might want tocheck this also.


You will find your problem!

As for having 103 k on you fuel pump, my 84 has 224 k on it and the original pumps work just fine! Yours are barely broken in!

[punchit]

thanks guys, i charged the battery today and didnt work at first than checked the ignition switch and well...http://www.mustangmods.com/data/17448/p7060027.jpg

where can i find a new one, i hammered the little teeth on it and it only stays for a little, and there is no way that i saw to put a zip tie on it

[AT6svo]

This thread:

http://www.svoca.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3991&highlight=ignition+AND+switch

along with a little more searching should get you there.