1991 240SX with SR20DET Swap: Engine Starts but won't keep running

[Kelbizzle]

I have a 1991 240SX with the SR20DET swap. The engine turns over and will start for a second but will not stay started. It kinda bogs down like it's not getting any fuel. The guy said it sat for a few months after the car stopped running. My friend thinks it could be bad fuel. but my other friend said a car could run on bad fuel it would just run s***ty.

After purchasing the car. I noticed the ecu was rusty and corroded this may be because the person who wired up the motor didn't put a rubber grommet in the firewall so water would probably just travel down the wires to the ecu.. The idle potentiometer was broken off in the ecu there was rust inside the ecu and I wouldn't get a light when the key was on. but I was getting power to the ecu. So I replaced it with a used ecu in better condition. The new used ecu is throwing error code #13 (engine coolant temp sensor I believe )

My question to everyone: Can this error code possibly keep your car from running after it's starts? Any thoughts or ideas will be tried and appreciated.Thanks in advance. oh and if it wasn't evident, I'm new to the forums. I look forward to all the great conversations. cough cough
Modified by Kelbizzle at 9:23 AM 9/9/2009

[Kelbizzle]

Okay so now. Here is what I've done so far.

I put fuel stabilizer in the tank. Let it sit for a while and tried starting the engine. No change in results. Then the battery died. So after charging the battery the engine crank is stronger.

I tried spraying starter fluid in the intake. As soon as I did this the car was able to run at idle. It idle's at about 1300-1500 rpms. When you step on the gas pedal the motor bogs down and then cuts off.

While spraying starter fluid in the intake and stepping on the gas pedal the engine will rev up enough to blow off. But If we stop spraying while stepping on the pedal it will cut off. So I'm thinking it could be the bad fuel maybe??Tomorrow I'm going to siphon the gas out of the tank and put fresh gas in it.

Can anyone suggest anything else I should try?

Update- 10-07-09-------------------------------------------------------------

Today, I test the fuel pump. It works I disconnected the hose to the fuel pressure gauge from the return and found this out the hard way. The fuel pressure gauge reads 0 all the time though.

I replaced the engine coolant temp sensor. Still no change in results. I noticed also that my ECU is showing code #12 (Air Flow Meter), MAF sensor I assume.

This guy came over today that has done a bunch of SR swaps and a couple RB swaps. He brought over his MAF sensor and he pointed out a couple of things to me.

1) We found that my MAF Sensor has four prongs and his from his SR motor only has three. So we couldn't use his Has anyone seen this before? I will post pics tomorrow.

2) He also told me that the TPS throttle position sensor was a 6 wire. And that because I have a manual that it should be the TPS with 3 wires. He said that is definitely my problem. To me it sounded like he was just guessing. Is this true? I've been looking for proof to support his answer before I go buying more crap.

I'm beginning to run out of ideas. :-(

Modified by Kelbizzle at 10:40 PM 9/7/2009
Modified by Kelbizzle at 10:42 PM 9/7/2009

[hboninc19]

check your fuel pressure. I had the same problem turned out to be a bad pump. Replaced it and the fuel filter. cleaned out the maf. Ran perfect

[Kelbizzle]

I checked pump it's pumping. Today I'm going to try and figure out today why the FPR reads zero when there is fuel pumping through it.

I'm also going to check the injectors and make sure they are "clicking"

[Kelbizzle]

It's running :-). I got home determined to find out why the FPR gauge was reading zero even though there was fuel running through it with high pressure. I googled "240sx Fuel pressure regulator" Saw a picture of the megan racing ADJ FPR...

"It's adjustable? Well maybe mines is open...I thought to myself."

I loosened the lock nut and started closing up the diaphragm. I tried starting it..and it ran on it's own longer than it ever would before. So I turned it up more and dialed it in at 43psi (that's correct right?)

Needless to say everything is working as it should just gonna do a look over and see if I find anything else.

Thanks for reading through my troubles. Thanks hboninc19 your comment inspired me.

[silviadriftking]

the 4 pplug maf sensor is from a blacktop s13.

[silviadriftking]

the fuel pressure is too high and will make your car run rich. it should be around 37 or so depending on the setup.

[Kelbizzle]

Thanks man