97 Disco will not start

[Doss]

It has been running fine, zero issues.

Last Thursday I drove it into town, came back, backed it up and hooked it to my trailer. All is fine.
I came back 3 hours later to pull my light utility trailer and it won't start.
Engine turns over fine, but makes no effort to crank. I had between 1/2 and 1/4 tank of gas before this started.
I tried and tried and it never seemed to do more that just turn over and over.

I was in the process of moving, so I pulled it over to my neighbor's yard.
I went back yesterday, 5 days later and tried again.
The first time I tried, it tried to crank, the engine fired, but never hit on all cylinders and died within 5 seconds.
After that it just turned and turned till I ran the battery down.

It went from zero problems to not starting instantly.

I am thinking fuel pump or coil to **** it like that. The fact that it fired for a few seconds makes me wonder though. Maybe it is still the fuel pump but there was some residual fuel in the cylinders to make it fire for a few seconds.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[joey]

Easy check for fuel pump is to shoot some starting fluid into the intake (after the MAF sensor) if it starts it is a fuel pump or relay issue. If it doesn't you have a spark issue.

 

[Doss]

I returned to the scene yesterday.

I had very little time and no tools so I did the following things:

When I first arrived, I took the cap off of the Schrader (sp) valve on the fuel rail.
I pressed the valve and a little fuel squirted out. I saw this as a good sign.
I tried to crank it. It ran for about 3 seconds and choked out.
I checked the valve again and this time NO fuel squirted out.
I tried to prime it by by going to the ON position several times with the key.
Still seemed to have NO pressure at the valve.
I didn't have a screwdriver or carb cleaner so I left it at that.
It still turns over fine, but never fires.

Today at lunch I will go by the parts store and order a fuel filter and pick up some Carb Cleaner/Starter Fluid.

I wonder if the fuel filter is clogged to the point that fuel only passes after it has had time to sit. ?????

Before it quit, I never noticed any cutting out or sputtering that is typically associated with a clogging fuel filter.

 

[Doss]

Update: I found the fuel pump, doesn't look too tough to change.
Used carb cleaner to make the disco run for a few seconds, determined fuel is the problem.

I changed the fuel filter, still no luck.

It is so weird, when left alone for an hour or so, it builds a little fuel pressure, but doesn't seem to want to prime.

Is there a simple way to troubleshoot the relay?

Logic tells me that if I take the plug off the fuel pump and have someone cycle the switch, some combination of wires should give me 12 volts.
If I get 12 volts at the pump, in my opinion the pump is bad.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[joey]

I could be wrong, but IIRC the fuel pump is 6 volts.... ? Can't remember. either way you can listen for the relay on the passenger side foot well or change it for a known good relay. But remember a fuel pump can die at any time without warning.

 

[Doss]

I have 6 volts at the pump when the key is on.

I think I have a bad pump.