So yesterday my car wouldn't start and the only sign of life was when the car would sputter at 300-400 RPMs before dying instantly. I've narrowed it down to the fuel filter and want to replace it but am not sure how I'm supposed to relieve fuel pressure on a car that won't start (most guides I've read state to turn the car on and pull the fuel pump relay while the car is running).

Would I be able to relieve the pressure by pulling the relay and cranking the engine over? If so, how long should I be cranking it?

Thanks for your help!

 

What year is your car?

 

Look I know its not eco-friendly or anything but I just throw a rag over the banjo nut on the fuel rail and turn it loose.

 

The car is a 2002 SE (4-cylinder).

Are there any repercussions of not relieving the fuel pressure (other than having gasoline spraying all over the place)?

 

Before you replace the fuel filter, if you hold your foot down on the gas pedal once the car turn over, could the car stay running? Hold the foot down and keep it running, if you could do this then it's not the fuel filter. Then it would be the throttle body or the IACV. Were you doing any thing to the car before this happens? Check the plug wires and pull the plugs and see if there's oil in it? How's battery connections?

 

Doubt it, I've been doing it for years and have never had an issue, with the rag there's very little spray anyway.

 

Hey, thanks for the help.

The car will not stay on, even if I flutter the gas.

Oddly, I didn't do anything with the car. The car drove fine the day before this happened and then just yesterday, wouldn't start up.

I'm going to be replacing the spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter all together.

 

If you are up to it, before replacing all that check for sparks, maybe you have other issues. Like always, use NGK what ever says under the hood, and Denso or NGK wires only. Though Honda's brand fuel filter is recommended but I use aftermarket filter from Oreillies. How's your air filter, a grossly dirty air filter can cause a clogged IACV. After replacing the fuel filter and you still have the problem, check the fuel regulator.

 

Actually, a bad fuel pressure regulator will not cause an engine to not start. What it'll do though is cause a hard start but it will start no matter what with a pin size hole inside the diaphragm of the fuel pressure regulator. To find out if it's bad, pull the vacuum hose off of it, there should be no fuel coming out.

 

Thanks for the great responses.

Oddly enough, my dad kept trying to start it and mashed the gas and the car came to life. It's been driving just fine and is starting up like normal.

Does anyone have an idea why this occurred? I'd like to make sure that the problem is 100% fixed before driving the car around.

Thanks in advance!

 

My car had an intermittent bogging down and die problem when I had bad spark plug wires. When it had the problem, it would idle REALLY low, almost dieing. Other times, it drove like nothing was ever wrong with it.

When last have you done spark plugs and wires?

 

An 02 four cyl.....isn't the filter in the tank? By the time you get the tank out, I bet ny pressure in the lines will be gone.......good luck.

Me, I'd see if the pump is getting power first, like if the main relay is failing....if you are sure you are not getting fule to the rail.

 

if the plug wires are bad do they get stuck in plug holes