I typed up a whole huge explanation, then the forum took a dump and didn't post it. So here's the really short version.

I've replaced the fuel pump, gas tank gasket, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, ignition coil, O2 sensor, distributor cap, rotor button, and spark plugs.

I've flushed the fuel lines, tested the main relay, and tried another ECU.

It won't even try to start now, it did with my 1st new fuel pump but would shut off after the engine started to get warm and wouldn't stay running for more than 10 seconds at a time after that. Prior to that, it would shut off when I let off the gas to go down a hill or stop at a traffic light.

If I spray carb cleaner in the intake, it would actually stay running before. I don't have enough fuel pressure to get fuel out of the rail where the fuel pressure regulator bolts on either.

What am I missing and why can I not get much pressure to the rail?

 

Have you tested for spark?

 

I did test spark when it was shutting off after running a short time. It did, and would stay running long enough to move the car to where I needed it It occurred to me that after I changed pumps again, I haven't checked it again. So, I will do that tonight as well as round up a fuel pressure tester so I can give an exact amount of pressure. I'm assuming it still has spark, but I'll make a run over things again tonight.

 

Do you hear the pump prime when you turn the ignition to ON?
Main relay?!??!

 

The pump is VERY clearly running, it's quite loud. I tested voltage on the pump directly and it was good too. Main relay has been tested good.

 

any word on the spark? i just bought a crx that would start up and run for a while then shutoff and not turn back on. Had something wrong with the dizzy. Just replaced the whole thing with a known working one. check the classfields and craigslist or something I got mine for 40 bucks

 

Your problem was likely the coil, which I also tried. However, here's the update:

On a whim, I took the service port on the fuel filter out and let the pump cycle, it squirted quite a bit of fuel. So, I have reason to believe it pushed all the air out of the system. In the time I've been doing this, the back of the car has been on ramps, so I lowered the back of the tank to force all fuel towards the pump. It struggled at first but then started and ran, so I shut it off and tried again, started fine.

So, I pulled it off the ramps while it would run and had some sketchiness in it. I got it level, wouldn't start. So, I put 2 fresh gallons of gas in it which took me over 1/2 tank and it started right up and ran. It warmed up, then threw code 43 and stayed running, which collectively is WAY more than it did last week. Apparently in the time I've been working on it, the gas had gone bad (3 days of an open tank and 95% humidity probably didnt help).

So, is it possible the code 43 is coming from bad gas? I've got a brand new O2 sensor on it. I haven't test driven yet to see if it shuts off when driving yet, which is what it was doing before I got into this fiasco.

 

did you check the injectors?

 

Injectors are good. Here's an update. It runs and drives fine, till I hit the 200 mile mark and get to a half tank. The strainer that came with the new pump has a different angle on it than the stock one, completely. So, I get to a half tank and it runs out of gas. I'm changing strainers tomorrow to one that actually sits on the bottom of the tank, which should complete all of my problems with the exception of the code 43 when idling for a few minutes after warm. Though, I never get the code while driving.