Starting issues

[DRP67207]

Hello all.

I am new to diesels, so please bear with me.

I have an '81 caddy with a 1.6 NA.  I bought it with the engine out, and recently got it all put back together and running.  I ran it in the driveway for a total of maybe ten minutes, and then took it for a short drive.  During this time, it would start right up, no problems.  However, following the drive I had it idling and it died suddenly and undramatically (no sputtering or anything) 

Since then, I haven't been able to get it started.  I figured it might be air in the lines, and so I've been trying to prime them by various methods.  I got a priming bulb for an outboard and sucked fuel through the line from the filter, so back to the tank should be good.  I have black line from the filter (clear ordered, but won't be here till next week), but there seems to be fuel in that line when I disconnect it.  I've cracked the lines at the injectors and have been cranking it over quite a lot, but only ever get a little fuel out of the driver side injector line and sometimes the second from the passenger side.  The solenoid clicks when the ignition is turned, and I took it out and the plunger moves freely, so i assume it's good.

Soo...any ideas about what could cause it to die suddenly like that and then not deliver fuel?  Air in the lines, bad solenoid, bad pump?  Where should I look first?  Any thoughts are much appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[burn_your_money]

Take the solenoid out and remove the peg and spring and put it back together. You won't be able to turn the car off if it starts, you will have to stall it.

[DRP67207]

Thanks a lot.

Just tried it, and after a little cranking it started right up.  Now to figure out if its the solenoid or the wire...

[burn_your_money]

You can test the solenoid off the pump. Just put it all together in your hand and loosely hold your finger over the plunger. Ground the body and put power to the peg. It should pull in if it's good.

If it is the wiring make sure to check that it is giving power while cranking. It's wise to remove the power to the solenoid on the starter when you are doing this so the engine doesn't crank over.