QuestionQUESTION: we just replace the soft plug in the block and the car started and ran just fine. when we went back out later to go some where the car would not start it would turn over but would not go like gas was not get to the engine. my brother sprayed starter fluid on it as we tried to start it and it would run just fine until you stopped spraying starter fluid the it would just stop. I was told to check fuel pump relay and its fuse but i can not locate these thing where can i find a diagram? I just don't belive my fuel pump would just go out with no warning plus my check engine light has never come on so could you tell me if you think we are going on the right path?
ANSWER: Hi Sabrina,
The fuel pump relay is the next to the front-most relay on the left inner fender row of 5. You should hear it click and then the fuel pump run for about 1 second when you turn the key to the 'run' position, before trying the starter. Then when you start cranking the relay will click again and you will have fuel pump action as long as the engine is turning over or running on its own. The fuel pump needs power from the ignition switch and from a fusible link (like a fuse but rather a wire that has to be spliced out to replace it) so there is no fuse in the common sense of the term. So listen near the fuel tank for the that first 1 second humm when you turn the key and that will tell you if the fuel pump is OK.
If that proves out, then use the ignition key to get any fault codes that the engine controller may have stored that will give a clue as to what is wrong. Turn it:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light, which remains 'on', to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to be sure you have an accurate set of flash counts. Then write back with the results and we can go from there. The code numbers are based upon the flash counts, grouping the counts in pairs to form 2-digit numbers in the order of appearance, which are the codes. The last 2 sets of flashes are always 5 in each, to form the number 55 which is the code for 'end of readout'. Any other numbers that come before that are relevant. You can also go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code list.
So see what you learn and let me know any codes, if you would like more direction.
Roland
PS: what is the purpose of the soft plug in the block that you replaced? Do you mean the expansion plug?
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Yes the plug in the block next to the exhaust off the block was leaking. we checked the code and it is 3355. The help has been great thank you.
AnswerHi Sabrina,
The 33 is just about the AC clutch circuit so that would explain an issue with that if you don't have AC. But it doesn't have anything to do with no start. Do give it another try and let me know if something else shows up. The other possibility is that the egr valve is slightly ajar. The valve is located near the throttle body air intake at the end of the engine, mounted in pipe that recirculates exhaust gas from the rear cylider bank exhaust pipe back around to the intake manifold. The exhaust gases have some fumes that can plate out a crud on the valve stem and thus keep it from closing tight when you are at idle. That makes for a too lean mixture so the engine stalls. The valve proper is mounted horizontally with the stem visible in a space between the body of the valve mounted on the pipe and the round top of the valve which is flanged and so if you look carefully you will see a metal rod (stem of the valve) with a slot around its circumference. You can take the tip of flat blade screwdriver and insert it in the slot and then lever the valve back and forth to check if it is moving freely (against spring action in one direction) or not. If it doesn't seem to close easily with the help of the built-in spring, then I would spray the base of the stem with solvent from a pressure can (such as WD-40 or carb cleaner) while moving the stem back and forth. Then see if that solves the issue.
That can cause a no start without there being a code, and to behave the way you have seen it so far.
Roland
