Fuel Pump?

[Loucpher]

Hi Celica Fans,

I have an 87 Celica GT Convertible. Which for the last 2 years has kind of taken a back seat to my 2002 Tacoma. I only drove it around once every week or two, and I still love the car. Anyway, two months ago she started giving me trouble starting at irregular intervals. The motor was turning over great, plenty of oil & gas. The last time she ran voltage meter looked good. All of this lasted about two weeks before I killed the battery trying to start her for the last time. Jumping her didn't work either, after charging the battery she still just turned over and over.

Symptoms:
Some times you would try her and she would start right up. 4 hours later, nothing - just turning over and over. Next day, start up no problem. Two days later, turn over and over. Later that night, start right up. It always seemed like she wasn't getting any gas. I seem to remember being able to flood her years ago and smell gas, but not anymore, no matter how much pumping I never smeel the gas. On two occassions she shut off completely while driving at 35-40 mph. No sputter, no chug chug, just like you shut off the ignition. But all the switches indicated the ignition in run, less the little motor light showing the motor was now off.

Now I know she is an 87, but she is also a toyota, only 153,000 miles. I don't want to give her up. I don't mind putting a little money into her, but as the convertible top is getting to the replacement point, I really want to work on her myself and save the money.

So:
1. does this sound like the fuel pump?
2. what else might have caused such bizarre behavior before dying?
3. If it is the fuel pump, can some give me an idea of work involved, and any special tools, or extras (i.e., like gasgets, sealing compounds, screens)

Thanks in advance
Lou

[91 Celica St]

could be a blown fuse or a relay of some fsort, sitting there for awhile and giving it a cold start can do that

[Loucpher]

Thanks for the reply,

I never considered the Fuse/relay as it was non-recurring problem till she died. But it won't hurt to give fuses or relay a check and a wiggle.

I read some other posts that said listen for the fuel pump to run when you first time on the ignition. I have tried it, before the battery died, and heard nothing from near the gas tank. But then some posts said, that is not always the case. OK, then I will replace the battery, recheck the fuses/relay.

So one suggested removing the gas-line from the fuel injector, and seeing if it will pump any fuel.

Thanks again!

[91 Celica St]

haha best way to see if its working is if u try to turn it over and u get nothing open up the fuel line to the injectors and see if u get anythign outta it (disconnect the distributor ignition swtichs first, the wiereing harness that goes to it, should be 2 thigns to unclip first)