[Shotimes] still no crank after Fuel pump replaced

[George Fourchy]

On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 02:35:43 -0500, miethos wrote:

>I need some help bad.  I really don't want to have to pay to have it
>towed to the dealership and pay out the wazoo for them to fix it.

You've done a lot of work up at the alternator and battery.  You might have
accidently unplugged the power connector for the PCM, which is the small black wire
coming off the positive battery cable.  There is a push/pull connector down under
and in front of the battery that powers the PCM and the IRCM, where the fuel pump
relay is.  If that wire is a bit shorter than normal, you can unplug it
inadvertently while fooling around with the battery cables.  My 'new' '90 is that
way...have to be careful when routing or moving the positive cable.

The way to check from the inside is to see if the check engine light is dimmer than
the air bag light with the key on.  If so, the PCM is not getting power, and also
the fuel pump isn't either.  ALSO....if the CE light stays on during cranking, there
is a problem somewhere with the electrical connections.  If the CE light goes off
during cranking, the car is wired correctly and should run with fuel present.  If it
doesn't go off, the first thing I'd check is that connector off the positive battery
terminal.

It cost me $5000 to learn this lesson (happened on a cross US trip).....I'll NEVER
forget it.  Dealers don't know how to check this stuff out anymore....it's up to us
on this list.  TRUST me!!!!  In another instance, it cost me $500 for a (relatively
reputable) dealer just to LOCATE the loose PFE sensor that had fallen off the head,
and shorted out against the EGR tube.  I fixed it myself (with parts sent to me by
list members) after they cut the bad wires so it would even RUN so I could get it
home.  The dealer had to borrow MY EVTM and Helms Manual, and it took a WEEK.

George