94 Q wont start all of a sudden!!!!

[TmaCular]

so couple days ago i was at work and i started the car and it wouldnt drive above like 1200 rpm??? so i shut it off and restarted and it was fine.. next day i moved it in my driveway and moved it back later that day and the next day its turning over but wont start. Now i did drive a decent distance to get my check on LOW LOW gas so could i of clogged the filter up?? I dont smell gas in the cabin but i do hear a humming sound in the trunk but my antenna also hums so i cant tell if theres something else humming with it? im thinking fuel pump and filter overhaul.... any other suggestions. car has 144k on it and ive noticed it being a little hesistant the last couple months..

thanks for helptony

[TmaCular]

i checked the pump today by feeling it and the pump is turning on..i pulled the filter and blew through it and it feels not clogged..going to replace today..i dont know what to look at next??

[Romeo5k]

Humming would mean its on. So actually no need to check. But me being me and not trusting the noises anymore. Id check the gas i put in there.. Hopefully good Premium!Next, fuel pump... Then FPCU. <-- Did i say taht right ? Then fuel lines and filter. Then after that its because now ur gonna get technical, like plugs and all this other crap that i really know nothing about. Like i said, if its humming, that means its working. I WOULD THINK. but it could be its dying hum, and not the operating hum. Also, running low gas is bad.. WHy?? Well, not because of the trash, but fuel pump in these cars tend to go out with abuse of low gas. They get hot as hell!!! The gas keeps them kool. Try starting again in about 5 hrs.. or tomorro morning. If it works, fuel pump GOING out soon.!! But never run low.. Lowest is 1/4 otherwise chances of damaging the pump becomes greater!

[speedeast]

Did you check to make sure it has spark? Check and double check ALL of your fuses also.

[TmaCular]

yea it is definitely humming..could the pressure not be high enough? i replaced the fuel filter and just for kicks loaded the intake with starting fluid..got it to kick over one time after that nothing not even with the fluid? thats leading me to believe its spark..i know my 4 plugs under the plenum need replacing but could that cause a no start? the filter had LOTS of gas in it which makes me think the pump is pumping..whats the easiest way to check the spark?

[speedeast]

I personally take each coil out and stick a spare spark plug in it and watch for spark as somebody tries to turn it over.

[Infinitiguy19]

You could do that or some other quick and simple tests first to really rule out a fuel issue.

Make sure the car is not flooded by holding down the accelerator all the way down while cranking (As covered in the owners manual).

If that yeilds nothing then rule out the fuel pump control unit. Ground the fuel pump so that its running at full speed:

Make sure the other end of the alligator clip is connected with a wire to a unpainted surface of the car.

If the car still fails to start then look at the spark issue.