won't stay running

[theoldguy]

just finished swap of B6TD to Festiva and after a lot of thrashing it is almost done. When I start it, it idles perfect for maybe 10 seconds (the time is exactly the same each time I start it ) and then it quits. Fuel pump working, in fact I've never heard it shut off, but it is a fuel problem I think. I don't have computer stuff to read out this crazy thing------it sure isn't an OBD one or two. Can someone please help. Thanks

[FestYboy]

try this: jump the fuel pump test plug at the driver strut tower ("t" shaped plug). then fire it up. jumping the plug will force the pump to run even if the VAF is out of circuit. if the car continues to run for more than 1 min, suspect the VAF.

[theoldguy]

I jumped across the connector and the engine would not start at all. Thx though any ideas are appreciated. bob

[FestYboy]

that's odd.... the pump should run and supply fuel.

so you're saying that with the plug not jumped, the car runs for a few seconds, but when you jump the connector, the engine doesn't catch at all?

[crazyrog17]

Make sure you have the fuel lines hooked up correctly. The line from the fuel filter goes into the regulator on the fuel rail

[theoldguy]

okay crazyrog17, I have hooked and unhooked the fuel line not really sure what goes where cause no pictures were too clear. the way I have it now is that the line from the fuel filter goes right into the fuel rail------the outlet from the regulator goes to the tank. I'm just too screwed up at this point to believe that if I switch the fuel lines, the damn thing will run. b ut let me know thanks

[theoldguy]

it is pretty frustrating cause electronically what u say should be right on and i dont understand why it wouldnt start. let me fart around with the vaf and make sure it is free etc. could by any chance, the fuel filter be a problem if it was not allowing good rate of fuel consistently. ???

[FestYboy]

a fuel filter issue won't cause a sudden hault in the engine... you'd get a sputter first (as fuel pressure and flow die off).

[crazyrog17]

I might have had that wrong in the post above, it sounds like you've got it right. I was just thinking the fuel rail could be pressurized, but the engine would die after the pressure fades.

Good luck with getting it running. I'll pop back in if I can come up with anything else.

[gotrootdude]

A couple of years back, I started having an issue with my festy randomly cutting off and/or refusing to crank. I would smack the back seat hard and the car would start..
At first, I thought it was the fuel pump getting dodgy on me and bought a new one off ebay. I never did replace the pump because it ended up that the wiring connector under the rear seat was the problem. It just wasn't making a good connection. The odd fix was just lifting the back seat up and using some tape to tape the connector into a position that worked, it's been working now for years..