q45 will not start

[levsal]

I took my 1995 q45 to the top of pikes peak. It ran fine all the way to the top. After sight seeing, i went to start the car to leave. It started, but ran really bad, like it was running out of gas. I dove about 50 feet and it quit. It turns over but will not start. any ideas?

[cccpman]

well you can always check the fuel pump, or FPCU. On a ride like that I wouldn't be surprised if either was the problem

Do a quick search on both topics, im sure a more detailed answer will follow this one

[jtesensky]

Did you have to get towed all the way down?

[Fridge]

or you could put it in neutral and coast down That would be a ride...

[elwesso]

FUEL PUMP. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise, get a new fuel pump and your car will most likely start running again.

[paranoidjack]

or you could put it in neutral and coast down That would be a ride...

some nice warm brakes!

[levsal]

I did have the car towed to the bottom (colorado springs). I thought it would probably be the fuel pump. I wasn't able to find where to check fuel pressure. I can hear the fuel pump operating when i turn the key on, sound like a hissing, or spraying, doesn't sound like other fuel pumps i've heard. I took both fuel lines off at the engine side and had my wife crank it. fuel flowed out of one fuel line but didn't seem like a lot of pressure. the fuel line with the in line filter didn't have any fuel.

[AlabamaDan]

Now I may be wrong, but...

Two lines go to the fuel rail. One is a supply line and the other a return. I believe the shorter one from the fuel filter is the supply line I think.

When's the last time your fuel filter was changed.

[elwesso]

The one that comes from the fuel filter is the supply line...

youll want to replace the fuel filter but if that does make the car run dont think your off the hook because its only a matter of time before the pump is done forever.

[xerexabante]

Why do people say fuel pump right away? Do you have spark is my 1st question. Then do you have fuel pressure?(30-40psi) Then you go if you have injector pulse.

[levsal]

well the fuel pump was the problem. but now i have bigger issues. the car has no reverse and the rpm's aren't going very high. in neutral, the car goes foward. I guess towing it caused this problem. I'm having nothing but problems.

[maxnix]

You towed it 14+ miles? Yes, you probably damaged the transmission. Not irreparable, but not necessary.

[elwesso]

I wouldnt think that only 14 miles would do it, however every tow person should know you never tow an automatic RWD car unless you flatbed it or put dolleys on the rear wheels..

Why do people say fuel pump right away? Do you have spark is my 1st question. Then do you have fuel pressure?(30-40psi) Then you go if you have injector pulse.

on any other car maybe so... But Ive never seen a Q that has NO spark unless it had a bad ECU or something goofy in the wiring, but 9.9999/10 times its no fuel pressure.

[xerexabante]

You'll never know, which is which till you get it checked. I check for everything.

[Q45tech]

We haven seen many many RE4R03A and RE4R01A effectively destroyed by being towed a very short distance because the AT pump requires the running engine.........the guts get immediately starved of lubrication.........gall and fail.

You must be careful with parttime/rural tows as many don't know to this day that Japan makes RWD.

[maxnix]

You must be careful with parttime/rural tows as many don't know to this day that Japan makes RWD.

So sad but so true, especially with a Q45.

[AlabamaDan]

Why do people say fuel pump right away? Do you have spark is my 1st question.

My old timey way of thinking when a car doesn't start is that it needs three things to run: Air, Fire, and Fuel. Usually air isn't a problem and you either start with fuel or fire. I usually start with fuel since it's easier. I guess you could start with fire, but on a Q that's harder.

[levsal]

I actually towed the car to denver myself, about 80 miles. the car will not go into reverse, when in nuetral the car will go foward. also, the rpm's are really low, even when the gas is all the way to the floor.

[Q45tech]

R.I.P..........................it might make a acceptable core.

No one to blame but you, a good lesson for the future.

[maxnix]

RTFSM or RIP.

[elwesso]

Yeah after 80 miles its DEFINITELY done for. I think the owners manual states never to tow over 20 miles or something like that, of course on a brand new trans thats different than a trans with 100-150k on it.

Oh well, Joe doesnt mind!! Dont bother with a non factory reman because youll just end up spending more money.

[Q45tech]

Based on zero lubrication circulation I feel one tiny mile is too much new or used.

We have seen Q towed less than 10 miles trashed.

[AlabamaDan]

Learn something new everyday. So you couldn't just pick up the rear and tow with the front tires on the ground?

[elwesso]

Yeah you could do that, that woudlnt hurt anyhting, you cant tow iwth the rear wheels on the ground unless you unhook the driveshaft.

[ScottJackson]

reminds me of when my dad towed my first vehicle home to Iowa from Montana. It was a 5 speed broncoII and he just put it in neutral to tow it. He made it about 50-70 miles before someone waved him off the road because there was smoke coming from the little bronco. The trans shifted itself into 3rd gear and evidently didn't like being towed at 70mph. Anyway, it ruined the trans and engine thoroughly and it smelled funny inside the rig for at least a year after. Always disconnect the driveshaft before towing anything on its driven wheels.

[levsal]

Thanks everyone. I installed a new fuel pump. that did fix the problem. I also bought a used transmission and installed it. everthing is working again.

[greenwar]

Wow! you went through quite an ordeal. I hope you have good luck with the used transmission.

[maxnix]

I also bought a used transmission and installed it. everthing is working again.

Hope you replaced the main rear seal while the transmission was out.

Also hope your performed a mechanical fluid exchange and added an auxiliary ATF cooler.