Came home from a 10 day vacation and got in my 03 Gator. First time it turned over but ran rough for around 3 seconds and died. I then tried to start it and pressed down on accelerator, stared again but the engine rpm did not go up and stalled out again. A couple more tries with same result, now all I hear is the starer engaging the fly wheel but no knocking from engine. My thought right now is fuel pump. Issue for me is why would fuel pump choose to die when I was on vacation and vehicle was sitting in driveway. I am thinking that it rained 5 days well I was away and this is an electrical issue. I checked relay 203 to see if there was burnt plastic but it looked good. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Maybe the 'gator is miffed because you didn't take it on vacation, too...

Can you hear the fuel pump spin up during the 2-3 second priming cycle at initial key-on?

 

Would of been a little hot for her in Costa Rica. Should it be loud enough to hear. Give me a hint what I'm listing for?

 

Listen for a whirring sound from inside the fuel tank. An ear next to the fuel filler tube with the cap removed usually helps.

 

Can I turn the key to the on position or do I have to be cranking when listening? How long after key is turned to on does pump shut off if so?

 

Sounds like a little critter made himself a home, right along with a diet of fresh wiring.

 

Yep.. Either chewed wires, or there's no fuel in the tank.

 

Could be lots of things with diverse causes. The idea of troubleshooting is to rule out items that don't fit the symptoms while focusing on observations and tests that DO pertain to the symptoms.

Turn the key from OFF to RUN and listen carefully. The priming cycle is only 2-3 seconds long. You have to cycle the ignition switch in order to repeat the test. If you crank the engine, you will never hear the electric pump motor.

Start from the top and work down the list based upon observations, not idle speculation.

 

Well went out this morning to start solve the problem. Lifted the hood and was met by a little brown critter, damn squirrel. That changed my problem solving check list. Popped the air intake and there is was, a nest. Trouble then was how much got into the pistons. Wonder why they don't put a screen on those intakes. After i hooked the battery up to another vehicle I cranked it over for about a half hour and she finally started. Neighbours probably thought she was on fire. Took about 20 minutes to clear up. Running a little rough right now probably due to the fact of no filter. After replacing filter anything I should due to make sure she's cleaned out. Have a pic of the filter but don't see how I attach. Thanks guys for all the help.

 

Did the critter get in behind the filter or in front of it? If it was only in front of it, then there shouldn't be anything that made it into the engine.

 

If I could post a pic of the filter you would know definitely behind. When I took the whole intake off there was insulation from hood liner actually wedging the into flaps open, but stuffed from me trying to turn it so many times yesterday. It seem to all burn out the exhaust.

 

Click that button and add your picture from the dialog that pops up

 

As you can see they were busy well I was away.

 

Wow! That certainly did not look good! I think I'm gonna go and glue a metal wire screen mesh on my intake funnel! yikes!

 

Damn! I hate squirrels (except when fried or with gravy)!

I had one get into my storage building and made a nest in my convertible top and the clear vinyl cabin enclosure for my boat. Ruined everything.