runs the dies

[funky technician]

So, my car is still tits up, it quit a while ago on me, but was kinda on its way out for a bit, the power was not constant, it would stall sometimes, sometimes it worked fine, when it finally died, i ended up killing the battery tring to start it again, i replaced the fuel regulator, plugs, rotor, cap, checked the breather, and nothing now what it does is if i let it sit for a bit, it will start right up, run perfect for about 3 minutes, then die and not start again, if i let it sit again, it will start up again fine and do the same, i have been thinking a failing fuel pump or the computer, any thoughts before i spend any money

[funky technician]

sorry, its an 89 fi auto aswell if it helps

[crusher773]

Take a look at your coolant temp sensor. Mine was doing the same thing when I bought it. When cool it would start up and run fine then start running rough just flat quit sometimes. I would have to let it sit then it would start backup again. I bet that is your problem. Its on the backside of the intake over towards the passenger side. You can get them at oreilly for cheap.

[william]

Possibly bad connection at the afm, the thing on top of your air box with the big flat plug.
check to see if its loose or corroded .
the afm controls a lot even the fuel pump.
I had a similar problem with mine.

[FestYboy]

... how new is the fuel filter...?

[funky technician]

fuel filter is pritty new, i bypassed it during troubleshooting anyhow, so its not the factor, as for the afm, i checked that the shudder inside was free, but other then that i didn't know any other tests, plus, it probibly won't run at all if that was messed up would it? Also, i notiiced that the plug on the top of the gas tank gets warm when its running, i had it going a little while ago, it ran for about 4 mintues, sputtered once, which i recovered with a yank on the throttle cable, then went for another little bit (one minute) then bogged again, and even yankin the throttle open couldn't help it. I went back and the white plastic plug was a little warm to the touch, not hot, just warm, i won'der if thats normal or if its drawing a bunch of current because its burning out

[avitsefdrof]

did the coolant temp sensor change work or help? how about a vacuum leak, warped head or intake manifold leak.....let us know. and good luck.

[funky technician]

quick question, so does the fuel pump only run when some sensor detects the engine is running? I listened to it and i can hear it running when its being cranked over and when the engine is running, i sat and listened until the engine did its sputter and die thing and the pump shut off right after the engine died, now this deesnt' mean the pumps still good, it may be just hardly working, but i thought it odd that the pump seems to only run when your cranking/running engine

[funky technician]

p.s. i\m gonna try the coolent sensor tomorrow, will the b6 one work? i have a spare b6 engine i'm useing to trouble shoot

[FestYboy]

quick question, so does the fuel pump only run when some sensor detects the engine is running? I listened to it and i can hear it running when its being cranked over and when the engine is running, i sat and listened until the engine did its sputter and die thing and the pump shut off right after the engine died, now this deesnt' mean the pumps still good, it may be just hardly working, but i thought it odd that the pump seems to only run when your cranking/running engine

the VAF has a ground switch for the fuel pump, when the engine stops running, the switch opens and shuts off the pump. the switch is attached to the flapper door so when air is being drawn into the engine, the door moves and closes the circuit. have you done a fuel pressure test?

[funky technician]

ooooohh, thanks for that little bit of info! no fuel pressure test, other then taking off the fuel line and having someone crank the engine, fuel shot out, but this is nothing more then a check to se if any fuel was moving, if the pump was failing, there would be hardly any pressure and just some flow, i'm gonna borrow a fuel pressure tester as soon as i can find one, i may need to go to a garage to do it if i cant, which is hard when your car only runs for 3 minute periods lmao, thats why i'm ruling everything out first

[crusher773]

Dude try that temp sensor its cheap and it could be the source of all of this. You seem to be going to a lot of trouble that might not even be the problem.

[FestYboy]

^ dude... a temp sensor won't cause a stall, especially when the engine is in open loop mode (cold). diagnose and repair properly the FIRST time.

[crusher773]

Mine sure stalled and ran like crap when that was the issue.

[FestYboy]

yeah but your's RAN... his wont.... so, gotta make it idle first.