Found the problem, now looking for the culprit. [Update]

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 06/20/2020 at 18:20 • Filed to: Vibe 2020

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The fuel pump is not priming. Not with 3 or 300 on-off accessory clicks in the ignition. Nor is it priming with any of my keys. You can’t hear the pump either. I even took apart the backseat again so as not to assume the sound was muffled.

Does the fuel pump work? Great question: here’s what happened when I cranked it with the pressure gauge spliced in:

Can confirm: fuel pump pumps gasoline.

I’ve tested and swapped (I have many spares and multimeter) the fuel pump relay, fuel pump fuse, and EFI fuse: all good.

My brother-in-law told me I need to research the components of the prime circuit.

Oh goody.

[Update] The fuel pump fuse slot was occupied by a 10A when it’s supposed to be a 15A. Various relays were rotated and swapped. Inexplicably, the car has started four times over three hours on the first attempt, without fuel primed into the rail on the first startup (my pressure test was capped, not connected to the fuel rail). I have been using my backup key and tumbling two or three time prior to cranking. For context, the car had not cranked on a cold first attempt in nearly a week. I am going to attempt once more tonight when cold and see if it starts up again. Tomorrow, I will use the same key but without tumbling the ignition multiple times before cranking and see what happens.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 18:28

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Two thoughts:

Fuel pump fuse might be good, but did you check the (I think 30a) injector fuse?

No pumping from a good fuel pump makes me think the ECU believes there’s no spark. So, if not the injector fuse, is there some other possible spark problem?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 06/20/2020 at 18:42

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30a or “Main” fuse is good

Definitely have spark, whether the ECU is good is another question

dogisbadob > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 19:06

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fuel pressure regulator?

The Snowman > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 19:08

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What kind of fuel injection do you have? My old mini had a high pressure pump and a main pump. Not to complicate things but when you have two it complicates things. I think this is mainly direct injection that uses two...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dogisbadob 06/20/2020 at 19:10

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It’s part of the pump assembly, which is new

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 19:16

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Check if there is a fuel pressure sensor. It is possible for that sensor to go out and decide that 1PSI=ALL the PSI, at which point the ECU would tell the fuel pump to cool it's jets and stand down when in reality it needs to man up and give the engine the dino juice.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > The Snowman 06/20/2020 at 19:16

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Multi-point squirty  fuel injection with one pump

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 06/20/2020 at 19:19

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The sensor/regular is integrated into the fuel pump assembly which is new

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 19:35

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I’ve seen the occasional failing ignition switch cause intermittent no- start faults like this, i.e certain circuits not getting energized when the key is turned.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 19:42

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It can’t be any more difficult than the dash light dimmer was.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 19:43

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Then my only remaining theory is sabotage. Is the CIA or KGB  after you?

WildlyMild > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 19:49

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Sounds like factory security system issues. You’d need a fancy scanner to watch the separate parts of the system. I realize that might be cost prohibitive. Maybe try having the keys checked at the dealer parts counter, that'd  would be a good start. Then move on to the ring around the ignition.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 06/20/2020 at 20:24

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That's sadly a ship that has long since sailed. I've been working on this every evening for weeks. Only day I took off was Mother's Day

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 06/20/2020 at 20:25

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It's not been a great year, but First World Problems is my official explanation.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WildlyMild 06/20/2020 at 20:26

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It's a shame I can't find a way to easily test the keys. And the local Chevy dealer can kiss my ass.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 06/20/2020 at 20:30

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I suppose I could learn how to test the ignition power thingie bingies. Steering column held down with three whole screws

Brickman > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 20:55

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Remove the spark plugs and see if the cylinders have too much gas? maybe turn over the engine with plugs and coils removed to dry out the cylinders. 

When the PCM shorted in my parents caravan, the injectors worked but not the ignition system. Took a good 5 minutes turning over to get it going once the new PCM was in. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 21:06

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There are probably some additional (and less fun) security fasteners that hold the ignition switch to the column, but removing the plastic trim panels should give you enough access to test the electrical side of the switch . From there the wiring diagram in the service manual and your circuit tester should show what’s happening (or not happening) when the key is turned.

RPM esq. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 21:12

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My guess is either something ignition or security/ immobilizer related. Had a similar problem on the RAV4 and was told it (the latter)  was a fairly common issue ...are any of those parts really Toyota (assuming this is the Vibe)?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > RPM esq. 06/20/2020 at 21:24

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It appears the immobilizer and ignition setup might be all GM ... Which command Toyota parts.

Roadkilled > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 21:31

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Blame second world problems. Everybody talks about the first world problems and third world countries. What about the second world? Why can’t it get some love?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Brickman 06/20/2020 at 21:37

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I'll remove spark plug one and see how it looks. To be fair, they were bone dry when I took out the old ones back in February.

WildlyMild > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/20/2020 at 21:46

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During the parts cannon process or the intermittent no start issues prior did you ever give the steering wheel or dash board a “ love tap” or two?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WildlyMild 06/20/2020 at 22:51

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No, I've been wary of hitting anything even after the Takata airbag was removed.

Nom De Plume > Roadkilled 06/20/2020 at 23:15

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/grin