79 rabbit motor wont catch

I bought a 79 rabbit and a mobile home from family that lost their mom.
Trying to get it running right.
First the heater core went out, replaced that, then the radiator started leaking, the fan quit but works when run dirrectly to battery.The battery was bad and replaced that.
Now my 16 year old has been messing with it and replaced some fuses and now it will not stay running.
When you turn the key, it runs like it is going to start but than it shuts off. Going to deal with things one at a time and right now I need to find out why suddenly it wont stay running. My boys are keeping there hands off my car. Any ideas?

First off, don't run direct power to the fan always... just to test is fine, but you need to replace the fans thermo switch which is located on the back or side of the radiator. The fan has cables connected to it, just follow them. That is like a thermostat that tells the fan when to turn on. They are cheap($bout $15-20) www.thepartsbin.com. 30MM deep well socket or wrench. Be warned it will dump most of the coolant.

About the not staying running... Did they mess with the idle speed? Does it turn over, run, then die? Try giving it some gas and holding the pedal when you start it... Does it keep running then? If so, the idle speed is too low and you need to adjust the idle speed screw. If it still won't stay running, check the fuel pump relay. Get a manual and check which one it is for your car. Bridge the two terminals it tells you to and see if the pump works and the car stays on. It may have just enough gas in the lines still to start but not keep running.

termitesgraffix
ThankYou for your reply. I talked to my son and he did not mess with the idle. I am having trouble locating the fuse for the fuel pump relay. My book says it is located on top of the fuel pump relay in the fuse panel. I did locate a black plastic thing that says 'Fuse' and it is separate from the big fuse panel.The fuse is inside the black thing. My book says the fuel pump fuse is number 20. I did not twist the black thing open because its like almost midnight. Is the fuel pump on the passengers side? does it look like a little space ship? Dont laugh, I am no mechanic but I am not afraid to attempt.
I saw that my son did jury rig the fan up to the battery and tomorrow I will rewire it like it was !
I would first like to replace the fuel pump fuse if I can find the dang thing. I am not sure what you mean about bridging the two terminals on the fuel pump. I need to be certain I am looking at the fuel pump first. My book shows a taken apart pump and that does not help me.I really dont have anyone that can help me with this so I really appreciate your time and help.

Yes, the fuel pump should be right in front of the passesnger side rear tire. It will be a cylinder wrapped in foam in a metal squarish case. It will be held on by 2-3 bolts. There will be two wires and a threaded banjo on one end (toward the front) and a clamped hose on the other end also clamped to the gas tank.

Yes fuze number 20 should be the furthest right fuze on the fuze box if i am not mistaken, that is if you have the fuze block i am thinking of.

Send me some pics of the fuze box area, fan switch area and the thing you think may be the fuel pump... I will take a look. [email protected]

Well, I was saying bridge the fuel pump relay terminals, not the terminals on the fuel pump itself... that would be bad. But forget about that... lets work on the other parts first.

Where is this car located?