wont stay running

[Johnmadd]

Been driving the zhp all week to work (125 miles a day) with no problems or Ses lights. Get home tonight and eat dinner and watch some tv and go out to the car and it starts up and almost immediately cuts it self off. Every try is the same and it wont let me give it gas to stay running. Any guesses?

[danewilson77]

Sounds like fuel cutout or loss of spark.

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[Johnmadd]

What would cause fuel cutoff? I was running great with no issues before shutdown. I am having problems getting video.

[danewilson77]

My car was kind of acting this way before the FP quit. Remember?

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[Johnmadd]

My car was kind of acting this way before the FP quit. Remember?

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I will check pressure this weekend, fp wasn't my first guess but its easy to find out.

[danewilson77]

I will check pressure this weekend, fp wasn't my first guess but its easy to find out.

Can I know what you're first guess was?

I mean with no codes... Idk. I had codes when my FP died... So... I will keep thinking about it.

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[Johnmadd]

I was thinking secret code or it just didn't show up yet, or the code is not showing and That in it self was also a problem.

[Johnmadd]

Maybe a stuck relay?

[Johnmadd]

Here is the vid.


http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/2011-12-21_21-41-52_121.mp4

[Meric]

My dad suggests you to put the key in 2 position push the gas about half the way 1/2 try to start the car like that. He is saying it should start right up.

[Hornung418]

Battery...either it isn't charged or the Alternator is bad.

Just a guess...

[Newjack]

Battery...either it isn't charged or the Alternator is bad.

Just a guess...

This actually sounds very plausible. Car wouldn't start with a failing fuel pump right? I was originally thinking the fuel filter might be clogged.

If you kept trying to start the car and the alternator was bad, you should be able to measure the voltage on the battery and notice the drain right?

[Johnmadd]

My dad suggests you to put the key in 2 position push the gas about half the way 1/2 try to start the car like that. He is saying it should start right up.

Ill give it a shot when I get home.

[Johnmadd]

Battery...either it isn't charged or the Alternator is bad.

Just a guess...

Its a new battery, not ruling it out but its unlikely. Alternator is a good suggestion.


This actually sounds very plausible. Car wouldn't start with a failing fuel pump right? I was originally thinking the fuel filter might be clogged.

If you kept trying to start the car and the alternator was bad, you should be able to measure the voltage on the battery and notice the drain right?

I did think fuel filter also, not sure how I would test that except for just change it, might have to. I was also thinking about testing the voltage, although it cranks strong every time i have tried to start it.

Going home at 1:30 today and will begin diagnosis.

[Johnmadd]

My dad suggests you to put the key in 2 position push the gas about half the way 1/2 try to start the car like that. He is saying it should start right up.

This worked. Car started right up, idle is a little rough. Guess I'll wait for a code.

[Newjack]

This worked. Car started right up, idle is a little rough. Guess I'll wait for a code.

I'm really curious what the problem might be, and why this trick worked.

[Meric]

Hey good to know! Also he says there could be only 3 problems causing not to start.

1.Gas is not burning - Bad gasoline
2.Gas pump is dying.
3.Electrics like spark plugs.

@newjack
It works because when you press the gas half way pump starts building pressure and pushing gas in to the engine. Another trick if your car doesnt work in realy realy cold weather do the same thing and should start right up.

[kayger12]

This worked. Car started right up, idle is a little rough. Guess I'll wait for a code.

Meric's Dad, FTW!

[danewilson77]

Meric's Dad, FTW!

Ftmfw!

He needs his own account, and needs to be a member.

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[Meric]

Meric's Dad, FTW!
Haha


Ftmfw!


He needs his own account, and needs to be a member.

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I'm not sure if he can use the forum. :D He only reads newspapers on internet lol

[danewilson77]

Ok.

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[Meric]

But dont worry ill ask him for the advice when something doesnt go rite. :)

[Newjack]

@newjack
It works because when you press the gas half way pump starts building pressure and pushing gas in to the engine. Another trick if your car doesnt work in realy realy cold weather do the same thing and should start right up.

I didn't know that the pump would operate when the car is off. I guess it uses the batteries power. So I could potentially drain my battery faster by just playing with the pedal when the car is off?

[Meric]

When the key is in 2nd position it will work. Dont think it will kill the battery real quick.

[Newjack]

When the key is in 2nd position it will work. Dont think it will kill the battery real quick.

Ohhhhh ok, I forgot the key was supposed to be in position 2. Makes sense when I'm not derping while reading.

[Johnmadd]

+1. Tell your dad thanks, haven't had any problem since and did lots of shopping and starts right up. I think it was something with the gas, I had filled it up with 93 shell right before so can't see it being the brand just some dirt or something possibly.

[yura]

I'm not sure if he can use the forum. :D He only reads newspapers on internet lol

How about we find a Newspaper-styled theme for the forum, with a "write the editor" textbox for him to reply into? ;)

[Hermes]

We can teach him. I've taught my dad how to email, use his iPhone, and he even has a Facebook account. Bluetooth and voice activation in his Benz, my dad is a very tech savvy 'senior'

[Meric]

+1. Tell your dad thanks, haven't had any problem since and did lots of shopping and starts right up. I think it was something with the gas, I had filled it up with 93 shell right before so can't see it being the brand just some dirt or something possibly.

Haha hes sayin "no problem but u owe me a coffee" :D :P


How about we find a Newspaper-styled theme for the forum, with a "write the editor" textbox for him to reply into? ;)

Hahahah yeah that would work nicely.


We can teach him. I've taught my dad how to email, use his iPhone, and he even has a Facebook account. Bluetooth and voice activation in his Benz, my dad is a very tech savvy 'senior'

Hahah hermes i know my dad if he gets stuck somewhere no matter what he will call me at night and ask what that is or what to do. If your okay ill give him ur number! lol

[llll1l1ll]

Sorry to be tardy to the party, but I noticed your voltage light comes on after the car dies. I'm not going to say it's your battery since you have a healthy sounding crank; however, your alternator may be on the fritz. Might want to check the connections in the back.

Otherwise, I'm going to guess fuel pump or even a bad vacuum leak.

[Meric]

It could be some little dust got stuck in the pipes or filter and clog the system.

[danewilson77]

Have you guys seen clogged filter restore a e46 from "not running" to "running"?

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