The pump doesn’t power on until the engine is turning.

Does the check engine light come on and does the stock boost gauge go to zero when you turn the key to ON?

19Eclipse90 said:

The pump doesn’t power on until the engine is turning.

Does the check engine light come on and does the stock boost gauge go to zero when you turn the key to ON?

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I should be able to hear it buzzing when the key is turned to on, no?

The boost gauge is sitting just under halfway when the key it turned to on.

No check engine light. I do have the oil pressure light and I believe the one for the coolant? It looks like a radiator.

DSMHERO1 said:

I should be able to hear it buzzing when the key is turned to on, no?

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Not until the engine is turning.

Do you have any wire? You could try applying power to the fuel pump check connector under the hood to see if you hear the fuel pump turn on.

Are all accessory belts still on?
Anything else out of the ordinary under the hood?

DSMHERO1 said:

I was driving home to Houston when my engine suddenly slowly started losing power forcing me to pull over outside of El Paso. From looking around on the forums, it could be the MPI failing as I don't hear my fuel pump turning on. Is the MPI supposed to click when I turn the key? If so, I don't feel it.

I'm pretty much stranded here with basic tools.

'95 Eclipse GSX

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Did yiu check anything basic? Oil level, temp gauge? Brian asked when you turn key on does check engine light turn on and then go off in 5 sec? Thats a basic check to see if ecu is working.

19Eclipse90 said:

Not until the engine is turning.

Do you have any wire? You could try applying power to the fuel pump check connector under the hood to see if you hear the fuel pump turn on.

Are all accessory belts still on?
Anything else out of the ordinary under the hood?

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I don't have any wire. It's a small town so there isn't much around and the ones that are closed today.

Nothing looks out of the ordinary under the hood. I was driving fine for hours before this happened.

pauleyman said:

Did yiu check anything basic? Oil level, temp gauge? Brian asked when you turn key on does check engine light turn on and then go off in 5 sec? Thats a basic check to see if ecu is working.

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All fluids were good.

The check engine does come on for a few seconds and turns back off after a few seconds when turning to on position.

Does the starter turn the engine?

19Eclipse90 said:

Does the starter turn the engine?

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Yes. It just won't start.

This is a tough one if you don’t have a second set of hands.

If you have a water bottle or something, do you have tools enough to disconnect the fuel return line, put the hose in the bottle, and try cranking to see if you get fuel out of the line?

You can do this without a water bottle but it’s better to catch the fuel than to let spray all over an engine bay.

19Eclipse90 said:

This is a tough one if you don’t have a second set of hands.

If you have a water bottle or something, do you have tools enough to disconnect the fuel return line, put the hose in the bottle, and try cranking to see if you get fuel out of the line?

You can do this without a water bottle but it’s better to catch the fuel than to let spray all over an engine bay.

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I got a family member coming to get me but I will try this when I get it home.

DSMHERO1 said:

I got a family member coming to get me but I will try this when I get it home.

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If youre taking it home put a longer piece of hose on the return and put it in a bucket. You can verify fuel flow and its much safer.

If there’s two people, just have one grab the fuel feed line while cranking - you should be able to feel something if fuel is flowing. It’s difficult to do that by yourself.

But if you’re set on it, do what Paul said.

19Eclipse90 said:

If there’s two people, just have one grab the fuel feed line while cranking - you should be able to feel something if fuel is flowing. It’s difficult to do that by yourself.

But if you’re set on it, do what Paul said.

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Yeah, I should have somebody to help me then. I'll try it when I get home and reply with any updates.

19Eclipse90 said:

If there’s two people, just have one grab the fuel feed line while cranking - you should be able to feel something if fuel is flowing. It’s difficult to do that by yourself.

But if you’re set on it, do what Paul said.

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So, I got the car home and got a better look. I knew I had to be missing something and I missed a big thing. The timing belt has a tear in it. I'm not sure how I missed it. Maybe it was just exhaustion.

Could I have caused damage to internals? I didn't hear any knocking when attempting to crank. I'm not sure if it happened while I was driving or during crank attempts. I lost engine power while driving with no obvious mechanical sounds like knocking. I'll attach a video of what my last crank attempt sounded like.

DSMHERO1 said:

Could I have caused damage to internals?

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You wont know until you check mechanical timing. If its way off yes you likely bent valves.
If belt is broken its practically 100% certain.

pauleyman said:

You wont know until you check mechanical timing. If its way off yes you likely bent valves.
If belt is broken its practically 100% certain.

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I couldn't really make out the markings. It looked like one was marked North/South and the other East/West.

The belt didn't completely snap. It does have a tear going long ways with visible shredded fibers. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow during daylight of the gears and belt.

Sounds like very little resistance to turning while cranking to me, i.e., broken timing belt. If you cannot see the whole belt, assume it’s broken until proven otherwise.

Do not crank / rotate the motor anymore until you inspect the whole belt.

19Eclipse90 said:

Sounds like very little resistance to turning while cranking to me, i.e., broken timing belt. If you cannot see the whole belt, assume it’s broken until proven otherwise.

Do not crank / rotate the motor anymore until you inspect the whole belt.

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I heard the same thing i just didnt comment. I concur do not rotate the engine anymore. Figure out where the marks are etc.

pauleyman said:

I heard the same thing i just didnt comment. I concur do not rotate the engine anymore. Figure out where the marks are etc.

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I thought it almost sounded like a low battery, but resistance could be it. Definitely need to do more inspection before cranking again...