86 626 won't start with starter, but will push start
 

I have an 86 626 4 cylinder with standard transmission. I can push start the thing, but it will not start using the starter. The starter does crank the engine, but I can crank until the battery is dead and it won't start. Also, once it is started (push started), I have to feather the gas pedal when idling to keep the rpm's up or the thing dies.

- I do have spark at plugs.

- I have fuel pressure downstream from fuel filter under the hood. Fuel filter has been replaced.

Any ideas?

RE: 86 626 won't start with starter, but will push start
 

There are three things required for the car to run... Gas (you've checked and you have that) Air and Spark. So you have all three. But the starter doesn't start your car. That would imply it's something to do with the starter or what it is doing.

You say that you can crank the starter without starting the car... So, one of two things is happening at that point. Either the starter isn't actually turning the engine over, or you are missing one of those three things. In my opinion (and this is guesswork frankly) I would suspect the electrical system. Your battery might be able to provide enough power to turn the starter, but for some reason you're not getting spark at the plugs at the same time, or it's not actually turning the engine over. I can't see anything else that makes sense given that you can push start it.

I'm afraid I can't give you much concrete advice, but have you had the battery tested? Is the starter actually turning the engine over? Have someone try and start it while you watch the belts... if they're not moving then it's probably that the starter isn't turning the engine over.

Z.