| Re: '92 DX randomly stalls, hard to restart I got a few.
1. Drop the gas tank, pull out the fuel pump and try to blow through it with your mouth. If you can't get gas coming out the other end, your fuel pump is either bad or blocked. And even if you can, put a voltimeter on it to make sure it's getting power.
2. Are his dash lights at normal brightness? That will tell you problems with your alternator/battery. If this is the case, sometimes turning off all accessory power (radio, dome light, dash lights) will give enough power for the car to start before taking it to a mechanic. Or simply buying a new battery/alternator.
3. It could simply just be the fuel lines themselves. Is this car old enough to be carburated or did they have fuel injection then? Try the injectors.
I've dealt with beater cars not starting many times, my dad's owned 2 Escorts, a Cavalier, Spirit, Blazer, Explorer and now an Escape. He's a sucker for crappy domestics.
EDIT - I forgot to state the obvious. Turn the key to the ON position without starting the car and listen real carefully for the fuel pump to come on. If you don't know what you're listening for, get in someone else's car and listen to it, then get in your dad's. If there's no sound, there's no pumping. |