car problem HELP!

strykr · Post by **strykr** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:08 pm

Hey everyone so I just recently started having a problem guessing with the fuel system on it having a hard time starting up(hesitates to turn over), it hesitating when I accelerate from a complete stop(not always), and the fuel gauge on my cluster 2-3times going from full/current fuel load to empty then back on, and also get an oil check light when sometimes stopped (but all fluids are good!..)

I just started having this problem in the last 5 days, but she made a 1500km trip 4days ago to back home..

I put fuel system cleaner in yesterday, and still getting the same problem!!

Could it be the pump, filter or rail? I'm not popping up with any CEL codes tho..

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:33 pm

It is semi common for the fuel gauge to drop, especially when it is full. I think it has more to do with the cluster than anything else. Mine hasn't done it for a long time tho. One thing I discovered playing with the fuel sender circuit, is when the vehicle is moving, the gauge will not respond to sudden changes. You can drastically change the resistance values keyed on, but not running, and it will drop, but not rapidly. If the car is running it is random whether or not it responds. If it has a VSS signal it will not move, if it does, it will take 30 minutes to fully drop.

The oil pressure sender may be going bad, but on pre '03 it usually will not light when it fails. Possibly there is a grounded wire?

IDK if anyone has the specs for the fuel pump? You could check the amp draw at the relay socket, and do some flow rate/pressure checks, but other than pressure IDK what the other values should be. Newer FSM FTL! My XJ fsm gives all those specs, but it is a '99, so they prolly wouldn't be correct for the higer pressure used in the newer stuff.

strykr · Post by **strykr** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:21 pm

K well the cluster doesnt bother me any if its messed, cuz im going and getting a new one with a tach on it.. my real problem is the hesitations.. and i dont want to bring it into a shop to get worked on when im not even sure what it is.. so that i get screwed out of money.. when i coulda done it myself if i knew what it was..