Car turns over but will not start

2006 SUBARU BAJA
57,000 MILES • 2.5L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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Car listed above is the Sport model AWD, non Turbo.


Battery is fine.
The fuel pump and filter were just replaced.
I hear fuel pump motor whirl when I turn the key.
Car was running fine yesterday and just stalled.
I added gas, no help.
No Logged/Active or Pending Fault Codes.
Note:
If I spray Starting Fluid in Throttle Body - engine starts up and runs briefly.
Any ideas why I can't get this engine to Run?

Thanks in advance if you can help me.
Sep 21, 2019 at 2:57 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Welcome to 2CarPros.

You aren't getting fuel to the engine. Although you hear the pump, it may not be producing pressure. The first thing I would do is check fuel pressure. Here is a link showing how in general it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Here are the specific directions for your vehicle. The specs are included in the directions and the attached pics also correlate with these directions.

Now, if you find the pressure to be within spec, then we need to check for an injector pulse. Here is a link that shows how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Since it starts on starting fluid, either the pressure is bad or there is no pulse to the injectors.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
Sep 21, 2019 at 9:08 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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HI Joe,
Thanks for detailed guides and images!
I will do pressure test today and reply with results.
Thanks again!
Sep 22, 2019 at 6:29 AM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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I do not have a "Test Port" on Fuel Line.
I understand I need to "Tee In" to Fuel Line, but I do not know where to put Tee.
Here are images of left and right fuel rail where do I Tee in for Pressure Test? Pressure Regulator is circled in Red.
As you probably know, the fuel filter is integrated into Fuel Pump Module.
Sep 22, 2019 at 7:27 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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Fuel Pump Assembly.
Sep 22, 2019 at 7:43 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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You are correct about the T. There should be a quick connect between the fuel rail and the full supply line. That is where I normally do it. I disconnect the two and install the T at that point.
Sep 23, 2019 at 6:31 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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I just hooked up pressure gauge and get 0 PSI.
Could it be my Fuel Filter or air in line?

Sep 27, 2019 at 9:07 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Welcome back:

The filter could be totally plugged, but that usually isn't the issue. Also, air wouldn't cause this. It wouldn't cause a blockage. I thought the fuel filter was new. Is that correct? Also, are you sure you got everything connected properly as far as the supply and return lines? See the pic below. Also, some filters can be installed backwards.

Let me know.
Sep 27, 2019 at 4:53 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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I bought a fuel filter from Amazon and it was open box. Looked okay, but I will put a new one in and check that it is in correctly.
And double-check connections for pressure gauge.
Sep 28, 2019 at 4:52 AM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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I am waiting on new filter.
All my connections are correct.
I still get 0 PSI pressure.
I even replaced relay.
Could the Pressure Regulator be reason for 0 PSI?
This car sat for 10 years and when I got car I changed pump and strainer and filter
and added gas.
I never drained old gas and never cleaned tank.
Maybe because of this the new filter clogged up rapidly?
Sep 29, 2019 at 1:30 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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Also, what do you think of a leaking vacuum hose as cause of 0 pressure?
Being that this car sat for 10 years.possibly rotted hose, pin holes?
Sep 29, 2019 at 1:38 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Welcome back:

Sorry about the delay in getting back with you. A vacuum leak wouldn't cause the pump issue. I didn't realize it sat for 10 years. There is a chance something plugged the pump. I realize it's new, but if there is enough dirt in the tank, anything is possible.

You still hear the pump prime, correct? If that is the case, we need to take the pump put and check what is happening or you may have gotten a bad pump. Something doesn't add up.

Let me know.

Joe
Sep 29, 2019 at 5:03 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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Yes, I just pulled assembly put a new pump and strainer in.
I hear new pump priming and still 0 pressure.
Sep 29, 2019 at 8:26 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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I removed fuel filter and retested.
0 PSI
Will get new pump and filter and strainer and retest.
Here is image of pressure test setup.
Sep 30, 2019 at 8:24 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It looks correct. If nothing is plugged, the pump is running, you have everything connected correctly, and you have no pressure, the pump must be bad.

Let me know the results with a new pump.

Joe
Sep 30, 2019 at 7:08 PM
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GREGORY MICHAEL YATES
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Hi, sorry about delay in replying. I put a fuel pump assembly in. One that does not have integrated filter - was made for 2003 Baja and other models. And so I put a inline filter under hood. Engine starts. Still have problem of engine "stumbling" or "missing", when I accelerate. Does not happen all the time but seems to occur when I have been driving a while. If I stop and turn off engine and restart. Engine runs fine for a few miles then starts stumbling/missing again. Also, if I fill tank, engine runs fine, but when tank gets to 3/4 full, engine seems to start stumbling/missing, again. I brought car to mechanic. Will let you know what he finds. Thanks!
Oct 19, 2019 at 4:44 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Welcome back:

That is odd. The only other thing I can think of that could cause this when warm is the crankshaft position sensor. Since the pump is new, it makes no sense that it happens below 3/4 of a tank of fuel. Does it only happen when the engine is at operating temp or does it also happen when it is cold?

Let me know.

Joe
Oct 19, 2019 at 4:39 PM