[Tibbetts]

My car, a 1992 Bentley Continental R, had been running perfectly. Yesterday, it started right up as usual. But as I had backed up out of my garage, 50 feet or so, the engine just quit. I tried several restarts but it would only run a second or two and quit. I suspect a fuel issue but would sure appreciate some guidance. I’m many miles from a Bentley specialist.

 

[mikebentleyturbo2]

Check fuses, swap out ign relay by the fuse box. Can you hear the fuel pump prime?
Mike

 

[Wraithman]

In most cases, an electrical failure will cause a sudden shut down, where as a fuel shutdown will slowly die and then stop.
First check for spark

 

[Tibbetts]

It starts normally, good spark, but quits almost immediately. Someone suggested that my car has a priming pump and a main fuel pump. Could it be that my priming pump gets enough fuel to it to start but if the main pump is inoperative it would not continue to run.

 

[Tibbetts]

I have checked the fuses and swapped out the ignition relay. No help. This morning I turned on the ignition switch and heard nothing. i checked the A4 “fuel pumps” fuse and it tests good. Could I have an inoperative fuel pump?

 

[mikebentleyturbo2]

Was you low on fuel when it died?

 

[David Watts]

I'm not sure if it survived on the later cars but there is an Engine Run Sensor at least through the 20,000 series SZ cars that, when it fails, produces those symptoms.

 

[SSpirit]

something like happened to me a couple of years ago on my Spirit. There was a one inch gash cut into a fuel line and my mechanic found it and replaced it with a "homemade part". No problem since then.

 

[Tibbetts]

In most cases, an electrical failure will cause a sudden shut down, where as a fuel shutdown will slowly die and then stop.
First check for spark

Thank you for your input. We found to 30 amp fuses that had partially melted. One was to the “fuel pumps”. Once replaced, the engine started and ran. As normal. Thank you again for your valuable advice.

 

[Tibbetts]

Check fuses, swap out ign relay by the fuse box. Can you hear the fuel pump prime?
Mike

You hit the nail on the head. I found two 30 amp fuses that were partially melted. One was the fuse for “fuel pumps”. Once replaced the engine started and runs normally. I really appreciate your experienced input. Thanks.

 

[kevin-ct]

Don't stop looking. You may want to replace the fuel pump. you'll need to find what melted the fuse or it will happen again.

 

[Wraithman]

Clogged fuel filters will cause the pump to work harder and may contribute to the fuse problem.