*VIDEO* Is my fuel pump going? Loooong cranks. Dies randomly sometimes 01 Qx4

[longhornsqx4]

I dunno what happened, car was running pretty good, and disconnected the battery, and when I reconnected it I had this problem where it would crank and crank and crank and not start, cranked hard to. I made a video of what it sounded like just now in the driveway, starts everytime and only a second of cranking for each start, but still noticeably more than it should be.

Its an 01 Qx4, has brand new battery and battery cables, new fuel filter, spark plugs. My thought was that maybe my fuel pump isnt supplying enough pressure to get the car running? Cause sometimes when it starts, it BARELY starts, sputers and you give it some gas and it kicks to life

I also had it SHUT OFF twice on me while driving, once while coming to a pretty hard stop, and once while making a right turn @ 10mph

Any ideas? Any help appreciated.

Heres the vid

http://img531.imageshack.us/my...8.flv

[goody90q45]

Are you shutting the engine off or is it stalling on it's own? How many miles on the fuel pump? engine? CEL doesn't appear to be on? Any humming from the pump? The next step might be to measure fuel pressure with a reliable gauge.

You're description sounds similar to MAF connector issues like the Q45 has so it wouldn't hurt to clean, tighten and lube with dielectric grease the pins on the MAF connector.

[longhornsqx4]

Oh I was turning the car off there.

Theres 115000 on both pump and the motor. I havent heard the pump at all, not even on startup, but I didnt really listen. How would you check fuel pressure?

I do have a CEL but its for the 1140/1145 VTC sensors, which are new just replaced, the CEL just never went away....

I will clean the MAF connector, I did clean the MAF itself, but not the connectors, I will try that for sure

[goody90q45]

....Theres 115000 on both pump and the motor. I havent heard the pump at all, not even on startup, but I didnt really listen. How would you check fuel pressure?

If the QX4 fuel pump is anything like the Q45's it's due for replacing at 115k miles. You'll need to tee in between the fuel filter and the injector manifold with a pressure gage. You can find a kit at any auto parts store or build one yourself for cheap if you already have a gauge. Do a search in the QX4 forum archives for better instructions.

.......I do have a CEL but its for the 1140/1145 VTC sensors, which are new just replaced, the CEL just never went away...

Clearing the codes is pretty easy once you get to the ECU. If you haven't already, read through at least the electrical section of the FSM and you'll come across how to do it. The EL is the best section of the FSM and contains a lot of good information.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/QX4/1998_QX4/el.pdf

You can also buy an OBD code reader off e-bay for less than $30 shipped that will read and clear codes. Works on all makes except German. Much easier than pulling the ECU.

Hopefully cleaning the MAF connector works miracles. Good luck.
Modified by goody94q45 at 6:01 AM 4/25/2009

[longhornsqx4]

I *HAD* a scanner up until last week when my father ran it over with out trailer when I carelessly left it on the garage floor. I'll have to buy another on I suppose

[longhornsqx4]

My car died on me 3 times within 30 minutes today while driving, had to put it in nuetral while rolling and start it back up, where it still takes a LONG crank to get her running. Also, if it were a weak fuel pump, how is my car able to still do FULL THROTTLE highway runs and not starve itself out?

my local auto parts stores cannot even order a fuel pump, Ill have to go the online route or a stealership if that is the problem

I did locate a fuel pressure tester though, was a simple gauge design with 2 hoses coming off of it that I suppose you tee into your fuel line and get a reading? Well the tester was $70 and thats close to the cost of a pump so I didnt buy it, and it wasnt the type of package I could use once then just return it....

What should I do here?

[longhornsqx4]

I also verified my fuel pump probably is just fine today, got a 48-50psi on startup, and once running it stayed solid @ 42 psi and never moved while cranking/idle/revving

SO I thinkt he pump is fine

Would a bad crankshaft position sensor cause this?