Starting issues on an 86 MK3

[Dadd]

Hey guys,

Chasing a starting issue with an 86 bone stock MK3. Replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter and the car started fine for about a week. My daughter gets off work and tries to start the car, nothing...it sits overnight, I go to her workplace to unlock it and leave a key for the wrecker driver, and the car fires right up. Replace the fuel pump relay. The car starts fine for 2 weeks...she stops about an hour ago to fill the tank, and the car won't start. WTF?

The car is all original, 140K miles. I'm getting damn close to junking this thing, its one thing after another. I'm beginning to think it has some kind of electrical gremlins. The heater controls don't work, radio doesn't work, I've had to replace the turn signal cluster already...I'm ready to scrap the damn thing.

Could it be the ECU? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[CyFi6]

Next time it doesn't fire up, give the connector on the distributor a wiggle (right behind the thermostat housing, 4 pin). A common issue on these engines, and when there is an issue with that connection it will prevent the car from running/starting. Usually if you can't see the tach jitter while you are cranking it is a sure sign of that connection going bad.

 

[k20maniac]

there was a fix i did, its somewhere here on the forums if your car will just click when you turn the ignition, i think you should give us more details on what exactly happens when it " doesnt start". sounds, smells, give us the not starting experience lol

 

[Poodles]

Need more detail about what happens when you go to start it. Could be as simple as the contacts in the starter (which isn't uncommon).

 

[Dadd]

When it's acting up, the engine will turn over, but it won't fire. I just finished doing a tune up: plugs, wires, cap and button. I also fixed a crack in one of the air filter pipes. the car starts much better, but I haven't checked for any loose wiring.

I should note, I attempted to put a heater core in this car a couple of months back, but was sold the wrong core. Seems you can't buy a heater core for this car anymore. I wound up putting it all back together and bypassing it. I don't know if taking the dash apart may have loosened/damaged some wires...

Right now, its starting and running fine.