Fuel Injector Problem? Car Won't Start.

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96' VW Jetta GLS 2.0;
5 Speed, Manual;
Hell, It's White if that helps in any way. lol.

Car won't start. Turns over but won't catch.

Ran out of gas the other day... walked a mile to the gas station with gas can in hand (this isn't the first time), got back filled up with my measly 2 gallons I had in the can until I could get back to the gas station.

Car started after gas seeped in (a few pumps and turn-overs), then I headed to the gas station. About half way there it started sputtering... like it ran out of gas again. Jerked and made horrendous pops and whatnot. Then it stalled out, and for some reason, which I'm not sure is related, the battery also died (not a good battery).

I thought the battery was the source of my problem.

Got it home (towed it)... hooked it up to the jumper cables... let it charge for a while... and it still wouldn't start.

So I figured it's a problem somewhere in the fuel system - since I have ran out of gas quite a few times. I put about 3 more gallons of gas in... just to make sure it had enough and it still wouldn't start.

So, I took off the Fuel Pressure Regulator, and there was fuel in the Fuel Rail. I syphoned all the fuel out of the Fuel Rail, and turned the car into the "On" position. The Fuel Pump was fine because it pumped more gas into the Fuel Rail - Which also means the Fuel Filter is fine because the engine is getting gas.

I'm thinking my Fuel Injectors are messed up or clogged.
Anyone have a solution?

Need Help, Fast. Please.
- Jason.

[autorem123]

Possibly weak coil, or maybe you've lost your timing belt?

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Well, Coil is ok.

But I talked to a mechanic and he said that it doesn't matter that I have fuel to the fuel rail, etc. that if I took off the fuel pressure regualtor that if it wasn't "gushing" out like a fountain that it was the fuel pump. He said he was 99% sure that my fuel pump locked up on me since my dumbass has ran out of fuel a number of times ... sound correct to anyone?

Well, anyways I removed the fuel pump, which was easy to get to (only took like 10 mins.) and took a look at it... kinda dirty. So I went ahead and ordered a new one ... $160.74 (Auto Zone and Advance wanted $350.00... thank you online shopping )

If replacing this doesn't get my car to work last thing I can think to do is beat the crap out of it.

Any other suggestions?

I sure as hell hope it's not the timing belt... cuz then i'll be out of a car for quite some time...

Also, just for reference... I went a head and replaced my plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, & fuel filter, so I know none of these are the problem.

[Doug Tatham]

It sounds like the the fuel pump to me. I have a 91, so things may be a little different. On mine, there are two fuel pumps: one in the gas tank that supplies the main pump and one under the car beside the fuel filter. Bad gas can clog a pump in a heartbeat. I soaked my in fuel system cleaner (Toluene) and got it ungummed. Check the fuel pressure. If you don't have a fuel pressure gage, slowly remove the fitting that you would normally connect the gage to and put a piece of tubing on it and put the other end in a gas can. Disconnect the starter and turn the engine over. The engine won't spin, but the fuel pump will run. You should be able to fill a can in a minute or so. If you don't get a good stream disconnect the tube on the outlet of fuel supply pump and run a hose from the outlet of the pump to a gas can. Make sure that it's pumping. Either pump will zap your fuel pressure. A bad fuel pump will give the same symptoms as running out of gas. The best check is with a fuel pressure guage because you can see if the pump is just not working up to par. I recommend the use of sea foam (brand of injector cleaner) once every 10000 miles or so.

[Doug Tatham]

One more thing.
Try starting spray.
If it's electrical, it won't help.
If it's fuel, it will try to kick over, but probably won't.

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I replaced the fuel pump, ordered one online ($180) AutoZone and Advance wanted like $350 or something. Still didn't fix the problem... or perhaps it's a combination of problems, anyways...

Originally Posted by Doug Tatham

One more thing.
Try starting spray.
If it's electrical, it won't help.
If it's fuel, it will try to kick over, but probably won't.

It does try to kick over without starting spray.

But hey appreciate all the help... I've really learned a lot in these forums... still don't know anything about cars though, lol.

I gave up and finally took it to a mechanic I TRUST... which I don't trust many.

Anyways, should get it back in the next couple days, I'll let all know what the problem is so if anyone has a like problem maybe my endeavors to fix mine can help in a future situation.

Thanks,
Jason.

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Somehow... my problem was that my Ignition Switch Module was cracked. Had to get that replaced... and new sparkplugs (like I told my Step Dad, but NOOOOO, he wouldn't listen).

Mechanic Replaced both of those and it started right up.

Definately a one of a kind situation... cuz I don't know how running out of gas would cause those things to go wrong... conicidence, maybe?