well i was running errand the other day and i stoped and had the car sitting for about 5 mins and when i went to start it up again it wouldnt start, i had plenty of electricity it was like no fuel was getting in to make it start i could hear the starter spinning but no start, i let it sit for like 20 mins and it started up with no problem at all, i drove somewhere else maybe 2 or 3 miles, and went to start it again and couldnt get it to start at all, i had it towed to my friends shop, the next day they ran the car all day and didnt have a problem starting it at all, even had it idling for a few hours with no problems, so i drove it to work the next day with no problems but on the way home after driving about 10 miles the rpms dropped from about 2k to 0 but then shot right back up to 2k like i let off the gas or something, i tested the fuel pressure and it was at 40psi, and i know its supposed to be at 41-47, could this be the pump or something else ?

 

Check the plug for the fuel pump that plugs into the body underneath the vehicle. Also check for oil saturated distributor and or wires. One more possibility is a bad module or a plugged fuel filter.

You are going to have to test the fuel pressure when it dies. Carry the gauge with you so you have it on the fly. If fuel pressure is good check for spark. If no spark check and make sure you dont have oil saturation at the front of the motor. If you have spark and dont have fuel pressure then you know the drill.

 

i had a fuel filter put in almost a year ago, and yesterday i had a new ignition control module installed but its still the same, i dont think its a electrical problem, but i have read that the computer may be off, maybe its not sending the right information, the distributor and wires are fine that was the first thing i checked for, im getting the right amount of voltage so i know its not the alternator or battery

 

Well I would advise doing a fuel pressure check the next time it wont start or is hard to start. The pump sounds suspect so your going to have to do a little recon. Bum deal on the module. Just what you needed was a spare module huh?

 

Did the check engine lite come on? If it did, scan the car & look for active and retained codes.

 

im thinking it may be the alternator because i can hear the fuel pump turn on but when i try to start it i can hear the starter motor trying to turn but wont, also with the lights turned on when i try to start it the lights dim

 

Ok....

Well test the battery when the vehicle is running. You are looking for at least 14 Volts. If its at 14 Volts start turing things on like the defrost, heat, raidio, headlamps and then check agian.

On your original post you said the engine was turning over. Rare to find that on a car with a bad alternator.

Going from a fuel pump to a bad alternator is somewhat concerning but give it a test and hopefully you can get on top of this problem.