So... I went to start the Raider this evening to come home from work. Started up, ran for about 3 seconds, then died. Cranks fine, but does not fire up. I went and put my ear down over where I thought I remembered the fuel pump being, and heard nothing while having my wife crank the engine. No meter to try and pull codes from the ECU -- I'll try that tomorrow.

Does the fact that I cannot hear the pump indicate it is not running? I recently had to have the alternator replaced, and I'm wondering if something has gone amiss with this. I also note that when I switch the ignition off, I hear a "click" maybe 1/2 to 1 second after shutting it off that I've always figured was the relay that controls the fuel pump clicking off. Anyone think it is the fuel pump, or are more folks betting on the ECU?

Also, is the fuel pump in the 3.0L replaceable without having to drop the fuel tank?

Oooorrr... could this be a snapped timing belt? I hope not <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Thanks!

Eric W.

The first thing yo need to do is check for spark while cranking. More often than not, when one just dies suddenly it's ignition related. Did it sputter for a while before dying, or just shut off?

No sputter... It had started and I was listening to the HLA clatter for about 3 seconds or so (normal state of affairs when the engine is cold; 5 or so seconds of noisy HLA, then they quiet down), then it just died. I'll be pulling codes today.

Thanks for the input!

Eric W.

Well, I took my voltmeter with me this morning to pull the codes from the ECU. ECU claims there is nothing wrong; it's happy as a clam. So, I cranked the engine and after about 3 seconds it coughed, caught, and ran just fine. Let it run for a couple of minutes, shut it off, starts right back up. Humph.

I guess I'll see if I can get it home tonight, and take a look at what else might be going on. Maybe the filter's clogged or something; it's been a year or so since I changed it.

I hate intermittant problems like this. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Eric W.

sniff the ecu box for a fishy smell. Might have an intermittent ecu failure due to capacitor leaks on the board. If so, it will quickly become non-intermittent.

Good advice -- I'm hoping to take a look at it this weekend. Had no trouble getting it home last night. I've got some regular tune-up parts (cap/rotor/wires/fuel filter) on order that it needed anyways, and will be throwing those on next week after they arrive.

Thanks for the advice! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Eric W.

Just new to this list and really don't have time to figure out nav. of this site. Can't believe no one here is having problems with fuel lines. I can't seem to find a used/new fuel pump assembly for a 89 Dodge raider. Both lines on top of the asembly that mounts in the tank are rotted thru . Looks like I'm going to have to devise a way of replacing the lines in the old assembly..Any ideas.thoughts???
Sojo

I'd try car-part.com for a used sender unit. If your sender is on the flat top of the tank, I assume you have a v6. If you put your vehicle details in your sig line, it makes life easier on the question answerers...

Thanks for the reply Fast Eddie.
Yes forgot to mention it's a 1989 Dodge Raider/Montero
V6 3.0 fuel injected 2 door Automatic and the fuel pump assembly is mounted on top of the tank, accessed through an inspection plate on the rear deck....I have found 2 in local junkyards and both have the lines rotted off the top just like mine. I will try the link you mention. I would think there has to be more people with this problem out there. Looks like a weak link on a real tough vehicle.Sojo

Thanks Eddie.
On this site now.
http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi
This is what they seem to call this:
1989
Fuel Distributor(& Misc. Inj.)
Dodge Raider.
although I have not called them yet....seems someone should make an aftermarket one of these.
Dealer was asking $800. for it and said the bad news was it was NO LONGER Manufactured and NOT Avavilable.