1999 QX4 Intermittently will not start. It would sputter. No engine light.

[txmunger]

Ok. My first instinct was lack of fuel. That's just what it felt like. I was able to get it home. Once it was started, it ran fine until I had to start it again. Then it was time to cross the fingers. Even though researching it on the internet did not give me confidence it was the fuel pump, I went along with my instincts. I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter. It has now been running for two days no problems. Phew!!! ....... Now, for the long story. Yes, we all learn from our foolish mistakes. Here were my mistakes. I raised the back seat and accessed the tank. To my surprise, the pump is in the bottom of the tank. So, with a half of a tank of gas, I dunked my hand fiddling with the fuel pump trying to unlatch its casing not realizing the whole thing pulls straight up. I only fiddled with it for about 20 minutes before I realized this. Now I have the fuel pump and screen out of the tank, my arms are slightly cut up and bloody (THE FUEL TANK IS QUITE SHARP), and I installed the new pump. I opted not to replace the overly expensive screen. Maybe this was a mistake. Hopefully not. The original fuel line connected to the fule pump had to be cut off. Fortunately the fuel pump came with a splice hose. I used it. Right now the experienced mechanics are cringing. I put everything back together along with a new fuel filter which only cramped my hands up slightly. I stopped my clock at about 2 hours. I definately didn't break any records. The truck fired up right away and felt good. I took my son to Mickey D's. Went to head home and the car would not start. This is where the experience mechanics can't stop thinking about the stupid fuel splice. Me, I was thinking about all the electrical ingnition junk it could be. So, after a tow home, I began trouble shooting. Spark was good. 12 VDC present at my injectors. Swapped several relays around. No luck. Sprayed some starting fluid into the intake and it fired up momentarily. Oh Crap. All I could think about was a junk fuel pump. I accessed the fuel pump again! Dipped my hands into the lovely gasoline to find my lovely splice job was a complete failure. I learned my lesson. I purchased a comple new fuel line from the auto store and a distributor cap and rotor alond with it since I had found earlier they were due for replacement. Installed all the stuff and did the repairs in 1 hour this time. ...not too shabby. Fired the truck up. Awesome! It runs wonderfully. Wait. There is an engine light. I wanted to freaken beat my head against the driveway. I drove the truck to the auto parts store to retreive the code. I was a fuel temperature sensor code. What the heck is a fuel temperature sensor? I figured it was generated while I replaced the fuel pump. I cleared the code and it has not come back. What a ride. I had less problems when I replaced my timing belt and water pump and all the hoses and belts. However, I'll do a fuel pump any day of the week, but a timing belt only if I have to. I wanted to share my story to give all of you confidence that a fuel pump can be the culperate if your car sputters when starting and does not have an engine light.

[nissandoms47]

Haha thats a funny story. How many miles are on your Q? Jw ive rarely seen fuel pumps go out. My 96 pathy had over 240k on the original and it still pumped fine even through all the times i pretty much ran the tank dry when i was in high school and everyone knows why. lol