02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
Hopefully I get it right this time.


I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when the
person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
proceeded
to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire and
tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
bottom of my spare tire.

The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see other
than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow hooks.

Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it won't
start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally start
on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire. I
checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs the
tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It will
start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.

Any ideas ?

Farrell

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

I could be mistaken, but I was told some have an antidrainback valve
inside the gas tank on the pump.

I would suspect this valve has failed or jammed from the impact. I
would suspect you need a new in-tank pump/filter/valve unit which is
expensive.

This is added from the other post. Is the ground connection for the
pump in the rear and could it have been knocked loose or even the plug
to the pump itself maybe knocked loose from the impact?

Can you get the stored trouble codes easily on the 02? Maybe a code
has been set.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

FDC wrote:
> I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
> Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire. I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

I could be mistaken, but I was told some have an antidrainback valve
inside the gas tank on the pump.

I would suspect this valve has failed or jammed from the impact. I
would suspect you need a new in-tank pump/filter/valve unit which is
expensive.

This is added from the other post. Is the ground connection for the
pump in the rear and could it have been knocked loose or even the plug
to the pump itself maybe knocked loose from the impact?

Can you get the stored trouble codes easily on the 02? Maybe a code
has been set.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

FDC wrote:
> I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
> Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire. I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

I could be mistaken, but I was told some have an antidrainback valve
inside the gas tank on the pump.

I would suspect this valve has failed or jammed from the impact. I
would suspect you need a new in-tank pump/filter/valve unit which is
expensive.

This is added from the other post. Is the ground connection for the
pump in the rear and could it have been knocked loose or even the plug
to the pump itself maybe knocked loose from the impact?

Can you get the stored trouble codes easily on the 02? Maybe a code
has been set.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

FDC wrote:
> I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
> Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire. I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

I could be mistaken, but I was told some have an antidrainback valve
inside the gas tank on the pump.

I would suspect this valve has failed or jammed from the impact. I
would suspect you need a new in-tank pump/filter/valve unit which is
expensive.

This is added from the other post. Is the ground connection for the
pump in the rear and could it have been knocked loose or even the plug
to the pump itself maybe knocked loose from the impact?

Can you get the stored trouble codes easily on the 02? Maybe a code
has been set.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

FDC wrote:
> I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
> Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire. I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

The fuel pump module, located inside the pump, incorporates the fuel
pressure regulator.
The regulator keeps constant fuel pressure for the injectors when the engine
runs, and keeps the fuel lines under pressure even after the engine has been
shut off.
This is so that there is enough pressure so that the injectors can atomize
fuel when the engine cranks, and allow the engine to fire immediately.

When the fuel regulator is damaged, it could leak fuel back to the tank and
fuel pressure is released when the engine has been shut off.

This is a scenario of what probably happens when you try to fire the engine
after some time, when the pressure has dropped to zero.

First the pump is primed for 2 secs by the PCM. But with zero fuel
pressure, this is not enough to build up proper pressure to the injectors.
Then you crank, and the pump starts running again. But at the same time, the
injectors don't have enough pressure at the beginning. As you crank and
pressure rises, the injectors start to pour non atomized fuel, which
partially floods the engine.
In the next attempt, the 2 sec prime of the pump rises pressure a bit more
to almost normal pressure, but the engine is flooded and doesn't fire right
away. The second attempt un-floods the engine, that why you may hear a
backfire or o pop.
Now the fuel system is under proper pressure and the engine unflooded, and
with the 3rd attempt it will fire right away like it should normally do.

You can try this test. Turn the ignition on (without cranking) listen to
the pump run for 2 secs and then turn off. Repeat this for 2-3 times, until
fuel pressure is built up, and then crank the engine. If it fires right
away, the regulator is damaged. The problem is that the regulator is
integrated in the pump module which is non reparable and fairly expensive.
But it should be covered by the insurance of the other driver.


Bill Spiliotopoulos,
'96 XJ,
'06 TJ.



"FDC" <someone@spammymonkey.com> wrote in message
news:aBtNi.2$wC1.0@news.more.net...
>I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
>Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when
> the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire
> and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see
> other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow
> hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it
> won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally
> start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire.
> I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs
> the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It
> will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

The fuel pump module, located inside the pump, incorporates the fuel
pressure regulator.
The regulator keeps constant fuel pressure for the injectors when the engine
runs, and keeps the fuel lines under pressure even after the engine has been
shut off.
This is so that there is enough pressure so that the injectors can atomize
fuel when the engine cranks, and allow the engine to fire immediately.

When the fuel regulator is damaged, it could leak fuel back to the tank and
fuel pressure is released when the engine has been shut off.

This is a scenario of what probably happens when you try to fire the engine
after some time, when the pressure has dropped to zero.

First the pump is primed for 2 secs by the PCM. But with zero fuel
pressure, this is not enough to build up proper pressure to the injectors.
Then you crank, and the pump starts running again. But at the same time, the
injectors don't have enough pressure at the beginning. As you crank and
pressure rises, the injectors start to pour non atomized fuel, which
partially floods the engine.
In the next attempt, the 2 sec prime of the pump rises pressure a bit more
to almost normal pressure, but the engine is flooded and doesn't fire right
away. The second attempt un-floods the engine, that why you may hear a
backfire or o pop.
Now the fuel system is under proper pressure and the engine unflooded, and
with the 3rd attempt it will fire right away like it should normally do.

You can try this test. Turn the ignition on (without cranking) listen to
the pump run for 2 secs and then turn off. Repeat this for 2-3 times, until
fuel pressure is built up, and then crank the engine. If it fires right
away, the regulator is damaged. The problem is that the regulator is
integrated in the pump module which is non reparable and fairly expensive.
But it should be covered by the insurance of the other driver.


Bill Spiliotopoulos,
'96 XJ,
'06 TJ.



"FDC" <someone@spammymonkey.com> wrote in message
news:aBtNi.2$wC1.0@news.more.net...
>I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
>Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when
> the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire
> and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see
> other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow
> hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it
> won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally
> start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire.
> I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs
> the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It
> will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

The fuel pump module, located inside the pump, incorporates the fuel
pressure regulator.
The regulator keeps constant fuel pressure for the injectors when the engine
runs, and keeps the fuel lines under pressure even after the engine has been
shut off.
This is so that there is enough pressure so that the injectors can atomize
fuel when the engine cranks, and allow the engine to fire immediately.

When the fuel regulator is damaged, it could leak fuel back to the tank and
fuel pressure is released when the engine has been shut off.

This is a scenario of what probably happens when you try to fire the engine
after some time, when the pressure has dropped to zero.

First the pump is primed for 2 secs by the PCM. But with zero fuel
pressure, this is not enough to build up proper pressure to the injectors.
Then you crank, and the pump starts running again. But at the same time, the
injectors don't have enough pressure at the beginning. As you crank and
pressure rises, the injectors start to pour non atomized fuel, which
partially floods the engine.
In the next attempt, the 2 sec prime of the pump rises pressure a bit more
to almost normal pressure, but the engine is flooded and doesn't fire right
away. The second attempt un-floods the engine, that why you may hear a
backfire or o pop.
Now the fuel system is under proper pressure and the engine unflooded, and
with the 3rd attempt it will fire right away like it should normally do.

You can try this test. Turn the ignition on (without cranking) listen to
the pump run for 2 secs and then turn off. Repeat this for 2-3 times, until
fuel pressure is built up, and then crank the engine. If it fires right
away, the regulator is damaged. The problem is that the regulator is
integrated in the pump module which is non reparable and fairly expensive.
But it should be covered by the insurance of the other driver.


Bill Spiliotopoulos,
'96 XJ,
'06 TJ.



"FDC" <someone@spammymonkey.com> wrote in message
news:aBtNi.2$wC1.0@news.more.net...
>I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
>Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when
> the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire
> and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see
> other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow
> hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it
> won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally
> start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire.
> I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs
> the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It
> will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

The fuel pump module, located inside the pump, incorporates the fuel
pressure regulator.
The regulator keeps constant fuel pressure for the injectors when the engine
runs, and keeps the fuel lines under pressure even after the engine has been
shut off.
This is so that there is enough pressure so that the injectors can atomize
fuel when the engine cranks, and allow the engine to fire immediately.

When the fuel regulator is damaged, it could leak fuel back to the tank and
fuel pressure is released when the engine has been shut off.

This is a scenario of what probably happens when you try to fire the engine
after some time, when the pressure has dropped to zero.

First the pump is primed for 2 secs by the PCM. But with zero fuel
pressure, this is not enough to build up proper pressure to the injectors.
Then you crank, and the pump starts running again. But at the same time, the
injectors don't have enough pressure at the beginning. As you crank and
pressure rises, the injectors start to pour non atomized fuel, which
partially floods the engine.
In the next attempt, the 2 sec prime of the pump rises pressure a bit more
to almost normal pressure, but the engine is flooded and doesn't fire right
away. The second attempt un-floods the engine, that why you may hear a
backfire or o pop.
Now the fuel system is under proper pressure and the engine unflooded, and
with the 3rd attempt it will fire right away like it should normally do.

You can try this test. Turn the ignition on (without cranking) listen to
the pump run for 2 secs and then turn off. Repeat this for 2-3 times, until
fuel pressure is built up, and then crank the engine. If it fires right
away, the regulator is damaged. The problem is that the regulator is
integrated in the pump module which is non reparable and fairly expensive.
But it should be covered by the insurance of the other driver.


Bill Spiliotopoulos,
'96 XJ,
'06 TJ.



"FDC" <someone@spammymonkey.com> wrote in message
news:aBtNi.2$wC1.0@news.more.net...
>I replied wrong and sent this to an existing thread so I'm reposting it.
>Hopefully I get it right this time.
>
>
> I have a 2002 4.0L I6 TJ and until two weeks ago it never failed to
> start on the first crank. Two weeks ago I was setting at stop sign when
> the
> person behind me, for unknown reasons, thought I had pulled out and
> proceeded
> to drive her little Chevy car under the rear of my Jeep. My spare tire
> and
> tow hooks pretty much destroyed the front of her car but my Jeep appeared
> to be unaffected other then some scuffs on the gas tank and paint on the
> bottom of my spare tire.
>
> The gas tank isn't dented at all, just some of the black paint is scuffed
> off. There is no other damage , or even minor scrapes , that I can see
> other
> than some of her paint on the bottom of my spare tire and on the tow
> hooks.
>
> Now if the Jeep sets more than 10 minutes after being shut off it doesn't
> want to start. If I turn the key and just crank and crank and crank it
> won't
> start at all. If I turn the key and crank crank crank, then stop, crank
> crank crank again, stop and crank crank crank again, it will normally
> start
> on the 3rd attempt. Sometimes it will almost start on the second 'crank
> crank crank' but fails with what sounds like a muffled belch or backfire.
> I
> checked the tank thoroughly I can't find even a small dent or any signs
> the
> tank was pushed out of place... I don't know. I can't figure out if it
> knocked something loose inside , maybe rust or something knocked loose and
> now clogging a filter ? It runs perfectly once it's started though. It
> will
> start just fine as long as it isn't allowed to set for long , almost as if
> fuel is draining out of something when it sits long enough.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Farrell
>
>
>

Re: 02 TJ Hard to start after rearended
 

Bill / Mike

I thought I had replied to this already , thanking you guys, but I
don't see it here in Google Groups if I did.

Anyway, I believe you are correct that it is the fuel pump. The way
I am starting it right now is to turn the key just enough to run the
fuel pump three times before cranking. It starts instantly when I
crank it on the third turn.

I started to just replace the fuel pump when it thought " Hmmm, if
this thing can be messed up so easy should I really put the same thing
back in ". Would an inline fuel pump (not in the tank) work better /
worse / not an option ?


Also, this is the first time I ever posted / used this web based news
groups thing... I want to apologize in advance is this ends up in the
wrong place.

Farrell