Picked up a 2003 turbo about 3 months ago, has about 45,000 miles on it.

Yesterday I was messing with the radio (installing an FM modulator) and I had the key in the ignition for a while (ignition on and off). I also reset a CEL for bank 1 and 2 cat efficiency (seems to come on when cruising in traffic).

Finished working on the car, fired her up, and started to drive. Half way down the block the car just stalled-out. At first I thought maybe it was just me being dumb with the clutch, but then it would not start back up (just cranking/starter noises).

I let it sit for a few minutes, tried again. She fired up, but was bogging badly and stalled out again.

I waited another 5min, then turned the ignition on and waited a bit to hear all the reset clicks. Turned her over, sputtered a bit, and eventually smoothed out. So far I've put about 50 miles on it without any issues.

Am I looking at some sort of MAF or O2 sensor issue? Did I maybe not let it idle long enough to "balance out" after having the ignition on for so long while working on the radio? Anyone experience something similar? Search only turned up "turn the key left then back again" posts...I'd hate to lose power like that on the freeway.

Thanks in advance all.

 

Is the fuel pump working properly?

 

+1 it doesn't sound like it is... mine went just like that once. after the third start it would idle then stall with any throttle. r&r fuel pump.

 

I think so? I smelled gas, which is why I let it sit (thought it could be flooded), but it could have also been from the exhaust (I did put in 13gal the night before driving home 20 miles if it could be a fuel cap issue).

I just got an enthusiast durametric cable...guess I'll figure out how to do logging and try to look for that.

Does $600-700 sound about right for the pump? Looks like a pretty simple DIY.

BTW, no other faults or anything have come up

thanks guys

 

The most common cause of fuel pump failure that I am aware of is the internal fuel line split. That might explain the smell of fuel.
I've never smelled fuel under normal conditions. Hope that helps.