fire but no fuel (been sitting for years)

[austinfromflorida]

I've recently purchased a 1987 2wd with 97k miles and in need of TLC. Starts with starting fluid through air intake. I'm not sure how long it has actually been sitting (I believe since 2009) or any history on what's gone wrong with the van. I've removed old fuel and replaced. The fuel pump is silent when turning on the key. A push starter button is wired to the starter by-passing the ignition. My next move is to replace fuel pump but am unsure if that's the correct order of operations. If ignition has issues, is the wire-jump trouble-shooting of the fuel pump valid? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Austin

[timsrv]

Hi & welcome to TVT! Regarding your problem, been there done that (hopefully never again). With today's quality of gas, storing for more than a year is asking for trouble. Your suspicions of a failed fuel pump are likely correct. Here's a thread that explains testing the fuel system: https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/...ng+fuel+system. You can skip all the way down to the 13th picture & just hook up a jumper wire to that test connector. With a wire connected there & your ignition switch to run, you should hear the sound of fuel flowing through your system. If you don't, move the jumper wire in & out of the test connector & listen for a clicking of your COR (Circuit Opening Relay) behind the glove box. The COR is essentially the fuel pump relay. If you can hear it click then you should hear the sound of fuel flowing in the system. If you're not hearing the sound of flowing fuel, then it's almost certainly a failed pump. To get an idea of what happens to the inside of a tank when stored with modern gasoline inside. Check this thread: https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/...-working/page2 . Tim

[austinfromflorida]

Thanks, I do have the clicking behind the glove box jumping the test connector with no fuel pump sound and am preparing for the fuel pump surgery hopefully soon. I'll keep you posted (may be a bit though), Austin

[austinfromflorida]

I pulled the tank and cleaned, replaced the fuel pump and found that there is no power to the fuel pump. I believe there is power to the tank gauge since the fuel light is on (possibly sitting in that position on the unit). I disconnected an electrical connector plug directly behind the battery running to the fuel pump and fuel gauge and got power on one of the legs at that connection but not at the fuel pump connection plug. Didn't look at it long after I reached this stage, :also- when pushing into the shop with a tractor, The back right wheel was locked with transmission in nuetral- it's automatic ( I'm hoping that doesn't mean anything bad) Thanks for the help

[timsrv]

Here's a schematic from the 87 van service manual:



What I would do next is pull the glove box and locate the COR (Circuit Opening Relay). The COR acts as the fuel pump relay (it's the one that clicks when you're jumping the FPCC (Fuel Pump Check Connector). Other than the clicking, it's easy to identify as it has "Circuit Open" printed right on it.

The blue wire coming off that relay is the power wire to the pump. Jump the FPCC, turn the ignition to "Run" & check for power here (blue wire). If there is power here, but not at the pump, then you have a wiring issue between this relay and the pump. If there is no power here, then check the black wire on the COR. With the COR activated, and clicking previously verified, if you have power to this black wire, but not to the blue, then the COR is bad. If there is no power on the black wire, then the problem is either a bad EFI relay or related circuit. The schematics show the paths, so it shouldn't be too hard to track down. Please keep us updated on what you find. Tim

PS: If you haven't already checked them, check your fuses.........especially the 15A EFI fuse. I guess it goes without saying fuses should always be the 1st thing you check when troubleshooting.

Here's some more pics that should help:

[austinfromflorida]

I've got power to the fuel pump through jumping the test connector. I didn't check if there was power to the pump w/o jumping the tester (I don't think so though- I will tommorow). Should I change out the fuel filter before attempting to crank or do that after running a bit if it fires? Any other pre starting manuevers I can make to avoid the possibility of clogging the fuel injectors? The fuel tank was filthy. I havn't looked into the transmission issue yet, Possibly the linkage not shifting out of park? I plan to fuel up and fire tommorrow after work. Thanks again- Austin