New FI installed, runs for 1 second

tootype2crazy

Hi folks,

I've just installed some used '79 Federal fuel injection on my 2.0 liter bus engine. Timing is spot on. No vacuum leaks that I can detect. What happens is the engine will start and die 1 second later. If you try to start it again immediately after this, it won't start. I narrowed it down to fuel pressure, I think. With the key in the run position and pushing on the air flow meter flap, it shows only 20 psi. The fuel injection I bought had 2 pressure regulators with it, so I swapped out one for the other, no change. I removed the cold start valve, it's not leaking. The injectors were sent to witchhunter who said they were all good. The fuel pump was bought used, seperate from all the other parts and so was not a part of the original system. Any ideas on how to proceed?

The only reason I decided to go with the FI is because of all the help the beautiful minds here on the samba provide. Thanks in advance for any help.
_________________
air-cooled or nothing for me
1978 Sunroof Deluxe Bus (daily driver)
1978 Transporter (mom's, making into a camper)
1970 Single Cab 2.1 turbo/EFI 6 Rib, 78 front beam, vanagon backing plates on rear (project)
2001 GTI VR6 (wife's)

busdaddy · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:05 pm Post subject:

Do you actually hear the pump run when you push the flap? What happens when you pinch the return line after the FPR?
Seen the FI sticky?
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IFBwax · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:09 pm Post subject:

Do you have that one wire from the left side attached to the coil? I forgot it once and it sounded just like you're describing. Fires for one second then dies. I attached the wire and bingo.
_________________
Owner of: "The Party Pickle" (a 1979 2 Liter FI "Raby Camper Special" Sage Green Westy Campmobile) & "Charlie Brown" (a 1979 2 Liter FI "Rob Grant Rebuild" Agate Brown/Dakota Beige Station Wagon)

www.partypickle.blogspot.com

thewalrus · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:10 pm Post subject:

Don't give up! It's going to be something small an easy to fix that you accidentally overlooked when installing. I did the same thing last year and after almost pulling out my hair with frustration, figured out it was bad wiring by the starter.

I'd definitely check and recheck all grounds and connection. Clean them and put some dielectric grease on the grounds. Also check out the vacuum diagram floating around here somewhere. One thing that popped into my head was, is the computer also a '79 Federal or is it the one that was in your bus?
_________________
'73 Transporter 1.7L Dual Carb

Westfabulous · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:34 pm Post subject:

I'd say check your FP gauge and your fuel pump if 2 different FPR's show the same results.

It could be many things, but it has the ring of a massive vacuum leak, like a hose not properly connected to the S boot, or the AAR.

AFM plugged in?

Coil connections and FI grounds double checked?

If this is a new FI install, and it's not the FP, I bet we can solve it through a number of good pics taken from above, and of the various components. It could be sumpin' simple.
_________________
*****************

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

SGKent · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:40 pm Post subject:

try moving this to the FI sticky. BTW - check your wires.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482560
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

Westfabulous · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject:

tootype2crazy · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:12 pm Post subject:

Hey thanks for the myriad replies folks. I was at a job for a couple of hours or else I would have replied sooner. Let's see...

"Do you actually hear the pump run when you push the flap? What happens when you pinch the return line after the FPR?
Seen the FI sticky?"

The pump is definitely running. I had it going before I ever put gas in the tank, and I can hear the gas rushing through the fuel lines while pushing in the flap. I haven't pinched the return line and will in the next time I go work on it. Sorry I should have posted in the sticky but honestly didn't see it.

"Do you have that one wire from the left side attached to the coil? I forgot it once and it sounded just like you're describing. Fires for one second then dies. I attached the wire and bingo."

If you are referring to the line that is integral with the back-up lights then yes it's on. In fact, I carefully studied the wiring diagram before and during the FI installation and am fairly certain all the wiring is where it's supposed to be. There are no PO hacks, all the wiring was left in tact.

"Don't give up! It's going to be something small an easy to fix that you accidentally overlooked when installing. I did the same thing last year and after almost pulling out my hair with frustration, figured out it was bad wiring by the starter.

I'd definitely check and recheck all grounds and connection. Clean them and put some dielectric grease on the grounds. Also check out the vacuum diagram floating around here somewhere. One thing that popped into my head was, is the computer also a '79 Federal or is it the one that was in your bus?"

Thanks walrus. I followed your thread very carefully and it was actually a motivating factor in going with FI. Small vacuum hoses are all new silicone and are definitely in the right place. Large ones are the ones that came with the FI and seem to be solid enough. I will check the grounds.

"I'd say check your FP gauge and your fuel pump if 2 different FPR's show the same results.

It could be many things, but it has the ring of a massive vacuum leak, like a hose not properly connected to the S boot, or the AAR.

AFM plugged in?

Coil connections and FI grounds double checked?"

I am suspect of the gauge. It came with the FI and is installed on the fuel rail where the test port would normally be. Pinching the return might reveal something there. AFM is definitely hooked up.
_________________
air-cooled or nothing for me
1978 Sunroof Deluxe Bus (daily driver)
1978 Transporter (mom's, making into a camper)
1970 Single Cab 2.1 turbo/EFI 6 Rib, 78 front beam, vanagon backing plates on rear (project)
2001 GTI VR6 (wife's)

tootype2crazy · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:36 pm Post subject:

Ok I pinched off the return line and operated the flap and the fuel pressure jumped up to 100! The gauge definitely is not at fault. Could it be that I have 2 bad pressure regulators on my hands? What are the odds of that?
_________________
air-cooled or nothing for me
1978 Sunroof Deluxe Bus (daily driver)
1978 Transporter (mom's, making into a camper)
1970 Single Cab 2.1 turbo/EFI 6 Rib, 78 front beam, vanagon backing plates on rear (project)
2001 GTI VR6 (wife's)

mikewire · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject:

tootype2crazy · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject:

SGKent · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:55 pm Post subject:

I posted an answer with what is wrong. You have the link already.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

Westfabulous · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:15 pm Post subject:

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50332

It is common for an engine with a bad vacuum leak to start and run for just a second or two. Check once more that all hoses are in place. Also try removing each hose from the plenum and close off the ports temporarily with duct tape.

tootype2crazy · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:12 pm Post subject:

Please check the FI sticky for my progress. This is what I don't like about posting in stickies, it takes much longer to get a response than in and individual thread. I guess nobody is watching them.
_________________
air-cooled or nothing for me
1978 Sunroof Deluxe Bus (daily driver)
1978 Transporter (mom's, making into a camper)
1970 Single Cab 2.1 turbo/EFI 6 Rib, 78 front beam, vanagon backing plates on rear (project)
2001 GTI VR6 (wife's)


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