Car shut off mid drive .. now unable to start
 

Car is a 93 Miata donor Exo.

This actually happened a few days ago. The symptom of the shut off felt like I ran out of gas, so after a few attempts to re-crank, I dumped 5 gallons in. The fuel meter read 1/3 full but the car still didn't start.

Started to diagnose it a bit on that first day. When I took off the cone air filter and sprayed starting fluid into the AFM, the car started and ran for about 10-15 second ( until the start fluid burned up ? ).

Figuring it was fueling issue, I went to Oreilly's today to rent some equipment and was able to confirm that:

1. With the key on, there is an audible click from the fuel relay.
2. The fuel pressure with the key on is about 44PSI immediately after the filter. I think this is within range for an NA 1.6
3. When trying to crank, all 4 injectors plugs show flashing lights via the noid lights.

So it seems everything is good .. yet the car still wont start. Kinda stuck at this point. Any advice ?

Are you getting spark? Check mechanical timing? Jump fuel pump and try again?

Hey Curly,

I am not sure how to check timing without the car running but if it ran ( rough for about 10s ) with starter fluid, doesn't that eliminate the mechanical timing and spark variable ?

Hmmm .. Just checked the Haynes and I might be wrong about the fuel pump pressure being okay.

It says for 93 and earlier ..

Fuel pump pressure ( maximum ) 64 to 85 PSI
Fuel pump line pressure ( engine idling ) 32 to 38 PSI
Engine idling ( vac hose disconnected from regulator ) should be 5-10 PSI more than with hose connected
Fuel system hold pressure ( minimum ) 50 PSI

So I think my 44PSI with key on and pump priming is the 'fuel system hold pressure' and should be > 50 PSI ?

Reading here though, 93 should start even with 30PSI line pressure ( but runs rough ). Hmm ...

It runs again! It was CAS timing out of order.
< :noob: