Hey guys, I'm new to the site but certainly not new to cars...

Her's my issue, lemme know what you think.

The car is a '97 Neon SOHC. It sat for about 6 months and then wouldn't start. It would crank fine, had spark but wasn't getting any fuel. I checked the fuel pressure and it didn't have any so I tested for voltage at the fuel pump. There was voltage at the fuel pump so I dropped the tank and replaced the fuel pump.

Well I put everything back together and tried to start her up and again there was a no go. Started checking things again, and again realized there still wasn't any fuel pressure even with a brand new pump. So I started checking the electrical again. Anyway, after I pulled the fuel pump fuse and put it back in the fuel system pressurized and I tried to start the car. Still a no go. The car will run on starting fluid sprayed into the intake but will die when it runs out of starting fluid.

To recap, the car ran fine 6 months ago. After sitting, there was no fuel pressure at the injectors. Replaced the fuel pump and pulled the fuse to reset the computer and got pressure back at the injectors. Now the car still won't run with out starting fluid, and as soon as the starting fluid is gone it sputters out.

Any ideas??

I'm going to be checking for error codes tonight...

 

could be a clogged fuel line or filter. have u checked the injectors?

 

Well it has fuel pressurized in the rail now where-as it didn't before. No I haven't checked the injectors. I need to check if they're even getting a signal...

 

After you check to insure the injectors are pumping dump your gas. It will go bad in 6 months, and the guys with antique cars don't store them with gas for just that reason.

 

 

Still no go on this one guys. The injectors are fine. They have a signal to fire and they do, but still the engine won't run unless you dump some gas into the intake. Then it will run until that gas runs out... I was reading the manual and it suggests the Crank Position Sensor. Does that make any sense to anyone? If so, how do I test it?

 

Check your timing too..

 

Are you talking about the ignition timing or the valve timing. I would think the valve timing is alright since the engine will run when given gas through the intake.

 

Hmm. Pretty sure it wouldn't be that. It needs that to run and it sounds like your car is running already with starting fluid. Is your gas tank vented properly, like no creating a mass suction? Try taking your gas cap off when you start it?

GoodLuck

 

It could very well be not getting fuel when you go to run it and only running on starting fluid and gas in the intake. I cant remember what it cuts off, but if the crank sensor does not recieve signal it either kills spark or fuel. Im pretty sure its fuel that it kills. I would look into that further if I were you. Make sure everything is hooked up. I know when I swapped my motor I forgot to hook it up and couldnt figure out why it wouldnt fire. If you have to get one from a junkyard car just to try it.