42 replies to this topic

[AussieTemplar]

Hey all,

Maybe 2 months ago, fuel pump decided to just not work when I went to start the car, car would only click over when I put petrol directly into throttle body and then it'd run for a few seconds.
So I bought a new fuel pump and put it in and it clicked over and car was sweet up until now..

The other day, the car just decided to cut out of no where and I was stuck in the middle of an intersection as my car wouldn't turn back on. Managed to push it, get a can of petrol, and put petrol once more directly into throttle body, but this time, it stayed running for a good hour.

So I park my car, go do my things, come back.. get driving, then again, it cuts out. This time, all I had to do was turn the key on again and it kicked over.. maybe it was all just a coincidence.

I wasn't home yet, had to make one more stop. So I go do my things, come back to the car. It will not start up. Nothing. Only if petrol went into the throttle body it would click over for a few seconds as usual. I got the car towed home, and figured I got a dud fuel pump from repco.

Today, I put the new one in. Car clicked over. Ran for a while, I didn't drive it, but I had it idling for a good 30 mins and I was able to rev it no sweat.

Tonight, I go to see my mum at hospital, turn key in ignition.. nup, wont click over, only if I put petrol directly into the throttle body once more (via airbox).

Car was managing to idle for up to 30 seconds I noticed, but as soon as I put my foot on the accelerator, the car would cut out. Every time I got the car started, it would only cut out once I put my foot down on the pedal.. even slightly.


So what am I looking at? It's gotta be something to do with the fuel lines or whole fuel system?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really need my car atm for work.. and visiting my mum in hospital. My bro in law who is a mechanic is coming down tomorrow for a visit, so maybe I'll get him to look at it, if not, it's off to the mechanic. But any advice for now would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Nick.

tl;dr .. engine cuts off as soon as I put my foot on the pedal.

[cameron]

do u have an aftermarket alarm or immobiliser?

[Adam]

do u have an aftermarket alarm or immobiliser?

That is a good call.

Don't you have an eBay spec one Nickso?

[AussieTemplar]

Nah it isn't plugged in anymore.

And regardless, why would it crank my car and then spit and spat around before it died.

Sometimes it'll die after 2 or 3 seconds, sometimes 15. I can't even start it now.

My mate has suggested the air flow meter.. spark plugs, fuel lines, oxy sensor.. ?

Good idea though, thanks guys.

[cameron]

ask anyone with a brant and they will tell u those symptoms are first signs of a 'ed alarm.

[alexGT]

any codes? changed fuel filter?

[Scuba-Roo]

Because the immobilizer cuts the fuel pump or ignition so the car won't run.

I doubt it'll be spark plugs, even with your o2 sensor in plugged the car should still start and run. IIRC gen3's don't have an AFM, they work using pressure sensor's

when was the fuel filter last changed? Have you checked for CEL codes?

[AussieTemplar]

Because the immobilizer cuts the fuel pump or ignition so the car won't run.

I doubt it'll be spark plugs, even with your o2 sensor in plugged the car should still start and run. IIRC gen3's don't have an AFM, they work using pressure sensor's

when was the fuel filter last changed? Have you checked for CEL codes?

I literally changed the fuel pump + filter today cause it had the same symptoms I had when my fuel pump died a few weeks ago.
But why would the immobilizer cut the fuel while I'm driving? 3 separate times and allow my car to start up again each time.. but this time no?

And nope, havent checked CEL codes yet.

[Xon]

Because it's broken. I had similarly intermittent problems when my alarm died.

[Scuba-Roo]

It would do that because it's faulty

[Ben_20EJT]

My mate has suggested the air flow meter.. spark plugs, fuel lines, oxy sensor.. ?

errrrr champ, your car dosnt run a airflow meter.

sounds like a fuel blockage to me, or maybe a slip wire going to earth somewhere causing the ignition or fuel electrics to short out.

[AussieTemplar]

I'll just rip out the alarm tomorrow anyway. Will settle that issue.

[AussieTemplar]

Any idea how to check the CEL light without the car starting up?

With the ignition on, the light just stays on.

[Scuba-Roo]

I don't think you have the right plugs plugged in. It should flash at the very least

[STI30R]

when you start you car can u hear the fuel pump humming then stop if so thats normal so far
Try this you may need two people to do this if you dont want to make a mess
Turn the car off
the fuel line thats connected to your fuel rail disconnected it
place a hose crimp on the hose then turn the car on to reds
you should hear the fuel pump starting
slowly disconnect the crimp if you see fuel comming out it not the pump
now reconnect the line to the fuel rail and start the car
.......................wont start still

two things it could be
1.you have a frozen solenoids in the injectors
2. you may have rubbish from the net on the bottom of you old fuel pump assembly in side the little jets in the injector
the injectors on your car will only have four little pin holes for it to shoot fuel out off very easy for it to get clogged

i hope my advice helps
also injectors are pretty pricey from subaru around 450 each last time i check best to go to a wreackers and get it out of any ej25 engine

Cheers STI30R

[AussieTemplar]

Thanks for your help STI30R, i'll give all that a shot.

I don't think you have the right plugs plugged in. It should flash at the very least

Both the green ones are plugged.

[RX25SE]

I doubt all injectors would fail at the same time.
Injectors usually have tiny filters in their inlets, very rare these get clogged as they are downstream from the fuel filter.
The mesh at the pump inlet is very course and will allow fine particles to pass through to be caught by the main filter.



You could try checking the current draw of the pump. Even if it runs it may not be pumping. If its working (pumping) it will pull around 8 amps.

[Marv]

Alarm is highly likely

check the wiring (pull plugs apart and check fuel pump wiring for burns). Subarus burn those plugs out leading to this issue.

[STI30R]

i had this very similar problem with my RS but it was water in the fuel but the exact same symtoms
is the mesh filter on the old pump rusty ???
if so you may of have had moisture in the tank maybe ???

[AussieTemplar]

I've ruled out the alarm. The symptoms are so random. At first it seemed like everytime I unplugged the alarm, it would start up. But now it doesn't matter if its in or not its just random.

Got home from work today, thought, **** it, ill try to start her up again. Turned key for less then a second, instant start up. Revved normally. Took it for a drive around the block, car felt 'ing weird like the revs were really rough and rocking the car..

Parked it. Turned it off. Went to start it up again.. Wouldn't start. My power windows don't work now.. maybe I've just blown a fuse.

Car won't start up again.. Or sometimes it will kick over and just die instantly.. shaking the car immensely.

Managed to get the CEL going.. it's just a constant ON/OFF flash.. is that normal? No long periods or short periods.
I can't work out what it is, it's the long instance.. so 10.. but it's just a constant flash.

Thanks for helps guys, maybe i'll take out the fuel pump again and change the filter.. even though its new.

The old filter did have a bit of dirt on it.. and guess what, it's the one I put back in.. Could that be an issue?