Fuel Pump being difficult

[karenme1965]

My brother-in-law gave my 16-yr-old son his 1986 Camaro (6-cyl). and said it "just" needed a fuel relay or pump. Obviously we started with the relay but still no go! We then changed the pump and husband and son have R&R'd it 3 times already - once because a wire wasn't connnected securely, the second time because the stupid thing between the fuel pump and fuel line came disconnected. The pump is making the noise like it's pumping when the key is turned, and we have the fuel line disconnected before the fuel filter and still nothing is coming out. I read in the fuel pump instructions that having the polarity wrong will make it run but not pump but hubby says that's not possible on this one and that the wiring harness was the same. He also says the oil sending unit can't be the problem as it is getting power???? Any helpful suggestions? My poor son is getting so discouraged!! Thanks in advance for any/all advice!

[karenme1965]

Okay, that's taken care of..... husband finally rechecked the polarity and NOW it's pumping. Gosh, I hate it when he won't listen to me. But the car still won't start. I'll go over some more prior posts and see what it could be.
Karen

[Morley]

Originally Posted by karenme1965

But the car still won't start.

There are 3 things the car needs to start...Fuel (coming out of the injectors), ignition (in the proper order) and air. Since we don't live in a vacuum we know it has air. Hook a spark plug to one of the plug wires and hold it against a good ground while someone cranks the engine. You should see a blue/white spark. Then double check the wires for being in the correct order. If that is ok, get a noid light (parts store), pull one of the injector connectors off and hook the noid light to it and have someone crank the engine while you watch the light. It should flash, indicating that the injectors are being commanded to fire by the ECM.