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1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!

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1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!
« on: February 02, 2012, 02:01:46 PM »
Ok so I have had my sammy for about 3 years now, and I love that little thing but about a month ago I parked it and started driving my new pickup because the heater is a million times better, and when I went to drive it again it had no power, and would barely run.  I went about 3 miles and had to have the pedal to the floor just to get it to go.  I parked it at home and a few days later went out to drive it, wouldn't even start now.  It just turns over and won't fire.  When I turn it over and push pedal to floor it sounds like it could almost start but won't.  I started with new fuel filter and when i had the old one off I turned it over to see if the pump was pumping and fuel shot out everywhere so i dont think it is the pump or filter.  I'm lost for words,  I have searched the forums and couldnt' find anything that sounded like my problem.  If one of you guys have had this issure before or know how to fix it please let me know!!!  Thanks guys!!

Re: 1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2012, 02:53:10 PM »
I just went out and tried to start it again,  I actually can get it to run for about 4 seconds only if i have the pedal to the floor when i try to start it and keep it to the floor.  it barely idles, sounds real weak like it doesn't know if it should try to idle or just die!!!  could it still be the fuel pump even if it shot out when i diconnected filter and it shot out?  is there a fuel regulator someplace??  any ideas??

Re: 1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2012, 06:14:34 AM »
I think you may have broken her heard by taking favor of another.

Air, Fuel and Fire.  You must have all three for an engine to run and one of these is encumbered in your vehicle.  

Hopefully we can rule out air since it's the simplest of the three and the problem diagnosis can pretty much stop at the air filter.  

You've diagnosed fuel up to the point of the pump thus ruling out a clogged tank inlet, filter or failing pump causing fuel starvation but you need to continue forward to the carburetor, throttle body or injectors however this be equipped.  The symptoms sound very familiar to clogged jets or a sticking bowl float if carbureted which could be easily resolved by carefully disassembling, cleaning and reassembling.  If injected someone else will need to chime in for DIY pd steps as I have never owned a gasoline vehicle new enough to be injected.

Next is fire, based on your facts I would lean toward fuel being the issue but I recently spent three days trying to get an engine running that seemed like a fuel problem to me only to discover it was actually timing.  First of all you should have a look at each of your spark plugs to note the condition, plugs tell a very detailed story about the condition of your engine if you know how to read them.  If your plugs look good verify you are getting spark at each by leaving one plug at a time out of the block and turning the engine over to look for spark.  After this you're left only with timing, if you're severely out of time which is very unlikely but was my problem you can test by loosening your distributor (if carbureted) and adjusting it forward or back to see if you get any positive changes in how your engine runs. Otherwise locate a timing gun and make sure your running at ~12 degrees as read from the crank pulley hash marks.

It's not going to be possible for someone to read your symptoms and tell you exactly what's wrong, there are too many variables and we are not privy to all the subtle hints an engine gives to an experienced eye and ear.  I would focus on fuel but do have a look at your plugs since it's easy and inspection can be done very simply with no cost.  You may want to temporarily divert your fuel lines to a small juice container or similar that you could use to run a high concentration of fuel system cleaner through your engine, if something is clogged or gummed up from sitting this could take care of it.

Good luck,
J.T.

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: 1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2012, 02:20:10 PM »
Probably an ECM issue.  ECM issues are very common on the EFI samurais (90-95).
The best ways to determine if it is an ECM issue is to either swap a known good ECM into yours, or you could swap your ECM into another one and see if the problem follows the ECM.
When the ECM stops working, it usually either stops the fuel injector from operating and/or you lose spark.  So you could check to see if you are getting a good strong spark to all the plugs.  To check if it is a fuel issue, you could see if it will run on starting fluid or carb cleaner (spray it down into the throttle body).
It could be possible that it is an injector issue.  But in my experience, when the injector sticks it won't run at all.  If you think the injector is stuck, you can remove it, push the pintle of the injector against your fingernail, and feel for it to "click".  If it clicks, then it is no longer (or never was) stuck.
It could also be a weak fuel pump.  I have had ones where the fuel pump won't pump enough to make it run good, but will pump enough to make it run.  Although, generally when the fuel pump is faulty it stops working altogether.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2012, 02:23:06 PM by Skyhiranger »
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Re: 1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2012, 08:59:27 AM »
Used gas and also tried starting fluid. It tries to start but won't. Still Befuddled. Going to take in coil and see if it's bad. Then maybe computer if that doesn't work. Where is the computer on they things?

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Offline rbparker

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Re: 1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2012, 09:58:29 AM »
First and for-most, check your timing. It sounds like somehow the timing got off. Checking your spark plugs and the resistance of your plug wires would also be something I would do before checking anything else.
I always check the simple before diagnosing the more complicated.
But id agree with skyhiranger as the ECM's are known for going bad. I assume the ECM to be behind the glove box, but it will be somewhere hidden in the dash (I own a carb version).

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: 1991 Samurai won't start, weird issues please help??!!
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2012, 10:46:04 AM »
Used gas and also tried starting fluid. It tries to start but won't. Still Befuddled. Going to take in coil and see if it's bad. Then maybe computer if that doesn't work. Where is the computer on they things?

I'd say you aren't getting spark.
The ECM is the most common problem, followed by the coil, followed by the ignitor and distributor.
The ECM is on the passengers end of the firewall.  Big silver box...kinda hard to miss.
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