mschultz373
Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2020
- Location
- dirty coast
i have now had 2 occasions in the past month where my 85 240 has died while driving, cranked but failed to start for a period of 5-15min, then started and seemed to operate normally.
the first instance happened ~3hrs into a 12hr trip about a month ago. the car died on the highway while idling in stopped traffic, would not turn over for 15 min, only to suddenly turn over, drive normally and successfully complete the remaining 9hr trip of highway driving, averaging 70-75mph, starting normally after getting gas, etc.
the second instance happened just today. i had not driven the car in two days. i got a block from my house when the car died. I coasted to the side of the road and it would crank but not start. after 5min - poof! - it starts up and i drove home.
here's what I got for diagnostics:
- engine wiring harness replaced with D Barton harness in June of this year
- my battery is 12.6V static, idling at 13.6V unloaded. brushes are in spec.
- IAC resistance measurements are in spec. unplugging IAC did not make a difference during no-start condition.
- MAF resistance measurements are in spec. unplugging MAF did not make a difference during no-start.
- in-tank fuel pump drawing 3.1A current, battery voltage present
- main fuel pump will turn on and run jumping from fuse 6 to fuse 4 trick. sounds maybe a bit harsh - it's not purring, let's say.
- fuel pump relay replaced with new unit in late March of this year
- ignition system troubleshooted and checked out in June of this year with hall effect sensor replaced
my general thinking is I am chasing some esoteric gremlin. It could be too low fuel pressure or a faulty coolant temp sensor - and I have not checked either as of yet -, but I don't suspect either as a main fault since this no-start condition has only occurred twice in last month in the midst of the car driving normally and completing both a 12hr trip and at least two 3hr round-trip highway trips. not to mention it being my sole daily driver.
any thoughts or advice on what to consider next is helpful. thanks yall.
the first instance happened ~3hrs into a 12hr trip about a month ago. the car died on the highway while idling in stopped traffic, would not turn over for 15 min, only to suddenly turn over, drive normally and successfully complete the remaining 9hr trip of highway driving, averaging 70-75mph, starting normally after getting gas, etc.
the second instance happened just today. i had not driven the car in two days. i got a block from my house when the car died. I coasted to the side of the road and it would crank but not start. after 5min - poof! - it starts up and i drove home.
here's what I got for diagnostics:
- engine wiring harness replaced with D Barton harness in June of this year
- my battery is 12.6V static, idling at 13.6V unloaded. brushes are in spec.
- IAC resistance measurements are in spec. unplugging IAC did not make a difference during no-start condition.
- MAF resistance measurements are in spec. unplugging MAF did not make a difference during no-start.
- in-tank fuel pump drawing 3.1A current, battery voltage present
- main fuel pump will turn on and run jumping from fuse 6 to fuse 4 trick. sounds maybe a bit harsh - it's not purring, let's say.
- fuel pump relay replaced with new unit in late March of this year
- ignition system troubleshooted and checked out in June of this year with hall effect sensor replaced
my general thinking is I am chasing some esoteric gremlin. It could be too low fuel pressure or a faulty coolant temp sensor - and I have not checked either as of yet -, but I don't suspect either as a main fault since this no-start condition has only occurred twice in last month in the midst of the car driving normally and completing both a 12hr trip and at least two 3hr round-trip highway trips. not to mention it being my sole daily driver.
any thoughts or advice on what to consider next is helpful. thanks yall.