need help with a gasser fix..

[R.O.R-2.0]

ok, so my 86 golf has been running beautifully..

but i almost ran out of gas the other day, and now it developed a starting problem, but intermittently, and only when its below 1/8 tank..

i can cycle the key a few times, and it usually fires up after a couple attempts..

there are 3 things in my head, that i think could be wrong..

the in tank pump could be bad, or the fuel pump relay going/shot, or the ign switch is going out..

once it will stay running longer than 30 seconds, its good to go. does not die while driving..

when it dies, its like you shut the key off, or un plugged the fuel pump relay. you dont hear the pumps running for another half of a second or anything..

also, i can hear a relay clicking while cranking when its acting up..

[theman53]

Is there any E85 in it? The classic cars around here have been having fits with the E85. It SHOULDN'T be a problem with the MK2 but you never know. I know it will eat the fliter sock thing off some newer stuff. I don't know if the MK2 had that or not.

Another thing could be now that you ran it that low something messed up in the tank sender for fuel level. You could actually be lower than you think and not know it.

I think you are on the right track as it being electrical. Mine were stabs if that didn't pan out for you. I would check the relay and ign first. If the relay is clicking it is probably getting intermittant power so that would point to the switch. Or the relay isn't wanting to stay open. But if it runs fine after 30 seconds I would think the pump is fine. Usually the pump gets worse as it heats up not better.

Fill it full and see what happens too

[R.O.R-2.0]

Is there any E85 in it? The classic cars around here have been having fits with the E85. It SHOULDN'T be a problem with the MK2 but you never know. I know it will eat the fliter sock thing off some newer stuff. I don't know if the MK2 had that or not.

Another thing could be now that you ran it that low something messed up in the tank sender for fuel level. You could actually be lower than you think and not know it.

I think you are on the right track as it being electrical. Mine were stabs if that didn't pan out for you. I would check the relay and ign first. If the relay is clicking it is probably getting intermittant power so that would point to the switch. Or the relay isn't wanting to stay open. But if it runs fine after 30 seconds I would think the pump is fine. Usually the pump gets worse as it heats up not better.

Fill it full and see what happens too

if i keep more than 1/4 tank on the gauge, it acts normal..

and it doesnt take much of a key turn to make the engine shut off.. like barely touch the key and it shuts the engine off.. im REALLY leaning towards the key switch.. but im gonna replace the relay anyways, its easiest..

and i think my fuel gauge still be accurate.. 20 bucks of gas is still a half tank..

it still has power, and runs great.. just a bit problematic to get it running sometimes..

and what you said makes sense, the pumps would get worse with time, not better..

and no, no e-85 in it that i know of, and im the only one driving the car, and there are no stations around here that have e-85 for sale..

[theman53]

I had a GTI that would completely shut off if you turned right. The pick up tube and the sock on it had been eaten by the ethanol. Replaced it and it worked fine. It would also act almost normal if I kept it above 1/2 tank.
With the ethanol I think I would have been fine if I kept it full. But leaving it sitting and mostly empty it didn't like it.

[R.O.R-2.0]

thats weird tho, cause i bought the car with a half tank of ANCIENT fuel (10-12 years old) and its ran AWESOME up until i almost ran it out of fuel..

I DID NOT RUN COMPLETELY OUT..

and ive been running normal fuel in it since i bought it..

im gonna hook up a light to the power wire to the fuel pumps.. that will show me if the pumps are getting power when the relay is clicking..

[ORCoaster]

Normal fuel contains ethanol and it really sucks up the water.  Could you have built up a glob of that from the old fuel and just the junk in the tank?  I am going on the premise that you had the car running on old fuel and never added new fuel until the near out event. 

Just brain storming here, without the benefit of much brain.

[CRSMP5]

in tank pump could be bad   when it fails it does your issue.. simple test.. pull hose off the float unit.. have a crank.. no squirt its bad... it will starv the main pump of fuel... main pump not ment to suck.. only push th efuel one in tank gives.. they fail usualy when warm out.. and under 1/2 tank of fuel.. causes them to over heat..

[R.O.R-2.0]

Normal fuel contains ethanol and it really sucks up the water.  Could you have built up a glob of that from the old fuel and just the junk in the tank?  I am going on the premise that you had the car running on old fuel and never added new fuel until the near out event. 

Just brain storming here, without the benefit of much brain.

no, i ran the last of the 10 year old fuel out of it about 5 months ago..

i have a feeling its either going to be the in tank pump, or the ign switch..

[Patrick]

I'd be looking at the pump in the tank, or the power supply to it. I converted a gas car to diesel, was running out of fuel about 1/4 to 3/8 of a tank until I hotwired the pump in the tank.....