1997 vitara

[fixkick]

iv done a compression test cold 180 185 throttle wide open. check valve lash all good. i have replaced the timing belt (gates) water pump crank key and timing cog and crank bolt, tightned to fsm spec. i checked today just to make sure its still timed correctly. my scan tool can read live data etc, but now i know why i cant switch to obd2, it says ecu connection broken, thanks for that other wise i would still be scratching my head, Ill definitely get underneath and have a look at the fuel lines, i know i smashed the rear gear box cross member mount,  again !. i have also replaced the fuel filter. im waiting on the fuel pressure tester to arrive. ill disconnect the fuel return line as well to see if its blocked to. i did notice that when ignition is turned on there is a pressure whining noise which gets louder before fpr cuts in. (FPR works the second pump turns on)
its coming from the engine area. the car is idling terrible(hot and cold?) and is slow to rev. once above 3000rpm it starts to smooth out but not free revving if you know what i mean.(I do) the spark plug gap here 1.0 / 1.1 mm our no 1 ignition lead on distributor is at 11 o clock not 1 o clock like the usa as i noticed on your specs. (timing light work here. shows timed ok) -5Deg BTDC? or spec,
'There is no cat i checked when fitting the headers, looks like the previous owner knocked it out. thanks again your a wealth of knowledge

great come back thanks. your welcome always.:
yes the whinning is the  3 second fuel pump prime. that makes starting so much better and longer battery life.
always set gap to .7 the lower spec, after all spark is weak and gaps wear wide, so lower spec is best,  always.  not acause here, but needs fix later.

the whining sound is in the engine bay?  that is odd and key on. no noise can come from there just keyon, (got cruise control motor up front? and cruise throttle cable?) it try to learn location, (2 man test if needed) one with cardboard tube to ear moved around engine bay.
cab fan blower on or off?

windshield washer stuck on.  hummm odd that,  the ISC buzzes at 200 times second, most folks can not hear it but it does buzz. (1989/90 love to make huge noise on ISC worn out) there should be no buzz.... ever clean the ISC?>

won't idle and I bet spark tips are carbon'ed up black.  rich as a pig this.
key on fuel pressure must be 36 to 43 (if 50,55 or 60 then the return line is smashed flat or clogged up. do tests with gas cap on then off, worn caps  are HELL.

Static:      36-43 PSI, keyon, not started ( you may have to key on 3 times to build enough pressure, pump runs on 3 seconds)

Running: 30-37 PSI , idling. not the 6 psi drop! this is key factor to make EFI run right 16v MPI only.
when attempting WOT , (wide open throttle) PSI will try to reach key on spec, but not make it, fully. 35psi? wot?
all fuel pressure  are vacuum controlled (aggressive on MPI)
The FPR adjust for 2 things engine load (vacuum) and altitude (both)at the same time.

to be a problem at idle PSI would be over 37psi.  mine was 30 idle.(500ft alt, or zero)
the higher you go in altitude the pressure drops, or EFI floods fuel.
I think they meant  static range, is high at sea level and low at 15,000 feet, highest road is 18,000,  Napal? that is 30 PSI keyon at 15k feet alt.
key point is when driving fuel pressure is 30 to 36psi,  this fact keep the injector flowing correctly, and if wrong the ECU is clueless to cure  that.
Old FPR like to leak fuel(vac port) or stick or both,  this old and can be a hair puller. if true. (not you )
Take the return line off and blow air in to line gas cap off to  test or clear the line.

my 96 did this MPI , actual data mine.

what the FPR really does is keeps fuel pressure across the injector the same at all times, and locations. "differential pressure" see?
if not done right, at 15,000(4500meters) altitude, the injector floods too much fuel.  if fuel pressure is constant say at 36psi,  flood it will.
pressure is only constant if not driving  and not changing altitude and foot off the throttle. (move throttle changes) per above.