Mitsubishi Repair: Fuel System, alligator clip, flow restriction

Question
1991 Eclipse, 1.8 SOHC, non-turbo, FWD, automatic.
109,000 miles.

Vehicle cranks, but won't start.

I don't seem to be getting any fuel to the fuel rail. I checked the fuel filter, and it did seem to be clogged and had a good amount of flow restriction, so I changed it. Still, no start, and no fuel is reaching the fuel rail. Is it a bad fuel pump? How can I be sure?

Thanks,  

Andy  

Answer
Andy,
If you have a service manual for your car, like Haynes or Chiltons, you can run some diagnostic checks of your own.  Behind the battery, on the firewall of the passenge side, there is the fuel pump check terminal.  If you have a service manual, it will give you a variety of ways to check your fuel pump.  For example, with the engine off, hook up an alligator clip from your positive battery terminal to the fuel pump check terminal, that will operate your fuel pump.  If you can hear your fuel pump kick on, than your fuel pump should be fine.  

You may just have a bad connection to your fuel pump.  Your fuel pump is located next to your spare tire.  There is a harness that connects to the pump.  Make sure that harness has a good connection.  If you believe gas is not even making it to the fuel filter, your fuel pump is the likely cause of your problems.  If you find out your pump is fine, but fuel still isn't getting to your injectors, you might want to have your car's computer inspected.  Read this article for further information:
http://90gsx.com/eclipse/cap/caps.htm

If your ECM is damaged, it will cause all sorts of strange problems; including the one you described.
Good luck!