Q: The trunk smells like gas. The problem was worse when I topped up the tank. But since I got a new fuel pump, there is just a lingering smell in the trunk. Airing it out doesn't help. It keeps coming back.
A: Sounds like the fuel tank sending unit seal.. check for staining around it.... Ed
Q: The radio cuts out and asks for the security code, which I put in. Sometimes it takes and lasts for anywhere from a minute to a few hours. Sometimes it asks over and over again. It seems that if I can get a CD in, the system works for longer.
A: This coded radio idea was a bad idea.... it will be an ongoing problem... Replace the unit with a good Clarion or equivalent..
The problem is, people stupid enough to steal the radio are also to stupid to read the window decal about the coded safety feature... Ed
Q: drove car to work and did not attempt to start it until 8 hours but would not turn over. I have a half tank of gas and battery appears to a good charge. Tried pumping gas but no results and did not smell any gas fumes in engine compartment. I checked fuses and did not see any noticeable signs of damage. Is my fuel pump history? Please advise ...Thank you!
A: Listen for a whirring sound for about 5-10sec after turning the key to RUN before cranking. If the sound is short or not at all then it is the pump. Check the relay before replacing the pump.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction When braking Not applicable
Q: Having trouble locating electrical short. Brake lights and blinkers work fine by themselves.
But when I depress brake pedal with blinker on, most lights on back of car blink, dash blinker indicators go out.
No blinker when in reverse (not that I would need but may help troubleshoot).
Noticed interior dome light not working either - bulb ok.
A: Very poor ground at rear lights and also possible wrong bulb in one of the sockets. Double filament in single post socket etc. Ed
Q: Whenever I start up from a stop, i give it gas but it hesitates.
i think it is the fuel injectors but they are mechanical fuel injectors and i dont know how to replace them or clean them.
A: first change the fuel filter if its clogged it'll give you that symptom
Fuel System Chugging When accelerating Not applicable
Q: 900 8 valae runs fine but has no acceleration. Have to warm up before it will idel. knocks when rpm is to low.
A: If you have checked all of the air intake boots and things then move on to checking fuel filter as well as the pick-up screen on the bottom of
the pump in the fuel tank. Injectors and spray pattern (easy to pop-out and check) may be an issue as well. But many times air leaks, especially one that prevents the air flow control arm from moving up as you accelerate, is often the problem especially if you've changed the air filter recently. The big air intake bellows pipe may not be seated properly.
Water in the gas can cause a similar problem and if it's a turbo, check the turbo boot.
Q: The car was starting fine. Then it didn't start warm 3
days ago. I let it sit and put fuel in it, even though it
should not have been empty.
After that, it started 3 times and drove okay.
Then it died while driving on highway. The fuel gauge
went completed wacko just before dying.
Is it possibly the fuel pump or sender? Help!
A: Is the fuel pump running when the key is in the start position?
Check to see if this car is an "intank" fuel pump model
and if so, it sounds like the ground wire in the tank is
loose as the sending unit and the fuel pump use the same
wire...Ed
Q: My turbo doesn't work. The car still makes the turbo "whistle" but the needle doesn't go into the turbo and the car no longer accelerates well. Could it be some sort of pressure valve causing the pressure to be released instead of building?
A: if the turbo itself has over 100,000 miles on it, it may have just died. Thats usually what happens in cars with high miles. It could be a pressure valve, but the odds are if the miles on it are high, you might just want to get rid of it altogether.
Q: Is it possible to adjust the fuel pressure (warmup) regulator on my 1979 Saab 900 turbo?
I took an old one apart, and it appears that by moving the brass "pin" you can vary the clearance between the diaphram and nozzle, and thus vary the control pressure.
I'm asking this because my car is running very lean, and I've done all the "shadetree" stuff like replace air filter, clean injectors, replace fuel pressure regulator, clean all fuel lines, replace fuel filter, and so on.
The car exhibits poor warm-up characteristics (low idle) and plug readings and other symptoms indicate a lean mixture...
A: Adjust the 3mm allen in the fuel dist.
It will be in a hole where the fuel lines are coming out of the fuel dist. going to the injectors. You can make it rich, or lean it out from there.
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