2005 wrx 2.0 getting fuel to the rail but not to injectors or engine. cranking for about 30 secouns causes backfire in the intake but engine wont start. what could be the problem?

With the starter fluid, I think your fuel is the problem. Change the filter and make sure you get fuel coming out at the injector rail.

To remove a fuel injector or injectors you must remove the fuel supply rail that sits over them. Here is how you do that for both engine options, Turbo and non Turbo..

Removal & Installation

Except Turbocharged Models

WARNING Release fuel system pressure before servicing fuel system components. Service vehicles in well ventilated areas and avoid ignition sources. Never smoke while servicing the vehicle. This may result in personal injury or *****.

1. Release fuel system pressure.
2. Remove the air cleaner lid, disconnect the inlet air temperature sensor and makeup air hose.
3. Remove the negative battery cable.
4. Remove the engine cover or throttle control shield if equipped.
   NOTE Wrap shop towels around hose to catch any gasoline spillage.
5. Disconnect fuel supply tube from rail.
6. Remove the Intake Manifold, refer to the Engine section.
7. Disconnect electrical connectors from fuel injectors.
8. Remove bolts holding fuel rail.
9. Remove the fuel rail and injectors.
10. Remove the injectors from the fuel rail.

To install:

1. Install injectors to the fuel rail.
2. Apply a light coating of clean engine oil to the O-ring on the nozzle end of each injector.
3. Insert fuel injector nozzles into openings in intake manifold. Seat the injectors in place. Tighten fuel rail bolts to 170-230 inch lbs. (19.5-25.5 Nm).
4. Attach electrical connectors to fuel injectors.
5. Connect fuel supply tube to fuel rail. Refer to Quick Connect Fittings in the Fuel Delivery section
6. Install Intake Manifold, refer to the Engine section.
7. Install the engine cover or throttle control shield if equipped.
8. Install the negative battery cable.
9. Install the air cleaner lid, connect the inlet air temperature sensor and makeup air hose. Tighten air inlet tube clamps to 20-30 inch lbs. (2-4 Nm).

Turbocharged Models

WARNING Release fuel system pressure before servicing fuel system components. Service vehicles in well ventilated areas and avoid ignition sources. Never smoke while servicing the vehicle. This may result in personal injury or *****.

1. Release the fuel system pressure.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disconnect the throttle body inlet hose and remove from throttle body.
4. Disconnect the purge hose from the throttle body.
5. Unlock and disconnect the electrical connection at the throttle body.
6. Remove the throttle control shield .
7. Remove the throttle and speed control cables from the throttle body.
8. Remove the cables from the throttle body bracket.
9. Unlock and disconnect the MAP sensor electrical connector.
10. Remove the vacuum lines from the rear of the intake manifold.
11. Remove the 5 bolts from the front of the intake manifold.
12. Remove the 2 bolts from the rear of the intake manifold.
13. Remove the intake manifold. Cover the lower intake manifold openings.
14. Drain the Coolant system.
15. Move the upper radiator hose clamp, so that the hose can be rotated up and out of the way.
16. Remove the 2 small hoses from the thermostat housing.
17. Remove the 2 bolts from the thermostat housing and rotate the assembly up and out of the way.
    NOTE Wrap shop towels around hose to catch any gasoline spillage.
18. Disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail.
19. Unlock and disconnect the electrical connectors from the fuel injectors.
20. Remove the wiring harness from the fuel rail.
21. Remove the 2 bolts from the fuel rail.
22. Remove the fuel rail and injectors from the intake manifold.

To install:

1. Install the fuel injectors to the fuel rail.
2. Apply a light coating of clean engine oil to the O-ring on the nozzle end of each injector.
3. Insert fuel injector nozzles into openings in intake manifold. Seat the injectors in place.
4. Install the 2 bolts to the fuel rail. Tighten fuel rail bolts to 170-230 inch lbs. (19.5-25.5 Nm).
5. Install the wiring harness to the fuel rail.
6. Connect and lock the electrical connectors to the fuel injectors.
7. Connect the fuel line to the fuel rail.
8. Rotate the assembly back into place and install the 2 bolts to the thermostat housing tighten to 110 inch lbs. (12.5 Nm).
9. Move the upper radiator house clamp back into place.
10. Install the 2 small hoses to the thermostat housing.
11. Fill the Coolant system.
12. Install the intake manifold.
13. Install the 2 bolts to the rear of the intake manifold tighten to 250 inch lbs. (28 Nm).
14. Install the 5 bolts to the front of the intake manifold and tighten to 250 inch lbs. (28 Nm).
15. Install the vacuum lines to the rear of the intake manifold.
16. Connect and lock the MAP sensor electrical connector.
17. Install the cables to the throttle body bracket.
18. Install the throttle and speed control cables to the throttle body.
19. Install the throttle control shield.
20. Connect and lock the electrical connections at the throttle body.
21. Connect the purge hose to the throttle body.
22. Connect the throttle body inlet hose to the throttle body and tighten clamps to 20-30 inch lbs. (2-4 Nm).
23. Connect the negative battery cable.
24. Use the DRB® scan tool ASD Fuel System Test to pressurize the fuel system. Check for leaks.

Removal & Installation

Except Turbocharged Models

WARNING Release fuel system pressure before servicing fuel system components. Service vehicles in well ventilated areas and avoid ignition sources. Never smoke while servicing the vehicle. This may result in personal injury or *****.

1. Release fuel system pressure.
2. Remove the air cleaner lid, disconnect the inlet air temperature sensor and makeup air hose.
3. Remove the negative battery cable.
4. Remove the engine cover or throttle control shield if equipped.
   NOTE Wrap shop towels around hose to catch any gasoline spillage.
5. Disconnect fuel supply tube from rail.
6. Remove the Intake Manifold, refer to the Engine section.
7. Disconnect electrical connectors from fuel injectors.
8. Remove bolts holding fuel rail.
9. Remove the fuel rail and injectors.
10. Remove the injectors from the fuel rail.

To install:

1. Install injectors to the fuel rail.
2. Apply a light coating of clean engine oil to the O-ring on the nozzle end of each injector.
3. Insert fuel injector nozzles into openings in intake manifold. Seat the injectors in place. Tighten fuel rail bolts to 170-230 inch lbs. (19.5-25.5 Nm).
4. Attach electrical connectors to fuel injectors.
5. Connect fuel supply tube to fuel rail. Refer to Quick Connect Fittings in the Fuel Delivery section
6. Install Intake Manifold, refer to the Engine section.
7. Install the engine cover or throttle control shield if equipped.
8. Install the negative battery cable.
9. Install the air cleaner lid, connect the inlet air temperature sensor and makeup air hose. Tighten air inlet tube clamps to 20-30 inch lbs. (2-4 Nm).

Turbocharged Models

WARNING Release fuel system pressure before servicing fuel system components. Service vehicles in well ventilated areas and avoid ignition sources. Never smoke while servicing the vehicle. This may result in personal injury or *****.

1. Release the fuel system pressure.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disconnect the throttle body inlet hose and remove from throttle body.
4. Disconnect the purge hose from the throttle body.
5. Unlock and disconnect the electrical connection at the throttle body.
6. Remove the throttle control shield .
7. Remove the throttle and speed control cables from the throttle body.
8. Remove the cables from the throttle body bracket.
9. Unlock and disconnect the MAP sensor electrical connector.
10. Remove the vacuum lines from the rear of the intake manifold.
11. Remove the 5 bolts from the front of the intake manifold.
12. Remove the 2 bolts from the rear of the intake manifold.
13. Remove the intake manifold. Cover the lower intake manifold openings.
14. Drain the Coolant system.
15. Move the upper radiator hose clamp, so that the hose can be rotated up and out of the way.
16. Remove the 2 small hoses from the thermostat housing.
17. Remove the 2 bolts from the thermostat housing and rotate the assembly up and out of the way.
    NOTE Wrap shop towels around hose to catch any gasoline spillage.
18. Disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail.
19. Unlock and disconnect the electrical connectors from the fuel injectors.
20. Remove the wiring harness from the fuel rail.
21. Remove the 2 bolts from the fuel rail.
22. Remove the fuel rail and injectors from the intake manifold.

To install:

1. Install the fuel injectors to the fuel rail.
2. Apply a light coating of clean engine oil to the O-ring on the nozzle end of each injector.
3. Insert fuel injector nozzles into openings in intake manifold. Seat the injectors in place.
4. Install the 2 bolts to the fuel rail. Tighten fuel rail bolts to 170-230 inch lbs. (19.5-25.5 Nm).
5. Install the wiring harness to the fuel rail.
6. Connect and lock the electrical connectors to the fuel injectors.
7. Connect the fuel line to the fuel rail.
8. Rotate the assembly back into place and install the 2 bolts to the thermostat housing tighten to 110 inch lbs. (12.5 Nm).
9. Move the upper radiator house clamp back into place.
10. Install the 2 small hoses to the thermostat housing.
11. Fill the Coolant system.
12. Install the intake manifold.
13. Install the 2 bolts to the rear of the intake manifold tighten to 250 inch lbs. (28 Nm).
14. Install the 5 bolts to the front of the intake manifold and tighten to 250 inch lbs. (28 Nm).
15. Install the vacuum lines to the rear of the intake manifold.
16. Connect and lock the MAP sensor electrical connector.
17. Install the cables to the throttle body bracket.
18. Install the throttle and speed control cables to the throttle body.
19. Install the throttle control shield.
20. Connect and lock the electrical connections at the throttle body.
21. Connect the purge hose to the throttle body.
22. Connect the throttle body inlet hose to the throttle body and tighten clamps to 20-30 inch lbs. (2-4 Nm).
23. Connect the negative battery cable.
24. Use the DRB® scan tool ASD Fuel System Test to pressurize the fuel system. Check for leaks.

no job stated, just 1 injector,? pull?
which bank or both, matters........
same as all fuel rail injectors.really....cept access.

1: do the fuel depressurize steps in the service manual.
2: battery neg lug off.
3: gain access to the rail. (obvious , sorry) intake man pulled!
remove, fuel line and cross over,fuel lineis on right bank only.
4:remove the injector connectors, or if one,just one.
5: remove the injector rail 3 rail bolts or 6 if both banks.
6: they are now free.
this one photo makes it obvious.... no?
you must get to here.

to depressurize,
pull fuel pump relay as step 1
crank engine , let it stall from fuel,
then do it.

sounds to me like the timing is off

need injection cleaning,bad injector,bad gas.thank you

You didn't post the size of your engine so please pick the appropriate one:

3.8L

1. Relieve the fuel system pressure.
   
2. Drain the cooling system.
   

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
2. Negative battery cable
   

• Supercharger
  
• Thermostat housing
  
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) tube at the intake manifold
  
• Engine Control Temperature (ECT) sensor
  
• Intake manifold
  

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   • Intake manifold with new gaskets. Torque the bolts, working from the center out, to 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm).
     
   • ECT sensor connector
     
   • EGR tube to the intake manifold
     
   • Thermostat housing
     
   • Supercharger
     
   • Negative battery cable
     
2. Refill and bleed the cooling system.
   
3. Run the engine and check for leaks and proper engine operation.
   

4.6L
4.6L Engine

1. Remove the brake booster hose from the throttle body.
   
2. Remove the fuel pressure regulator vacuum tube from the fuel pressure regulator and the water crossover.
   
3. Remove the PCV fresh air feed tube from the camshaft cover and the throttle body.
   
4. Remove the PCV dirty air tube from the PCV orifice in the right camshaft cover and from the intake manifold.
   
5. Disconnect the fuel injector electrical connectors from the fuel injectors.
   
6. Remove the fuel injector wiring harness.
   
7. Remove the fuel rail bracket nut from the engine lift bracket.
   
8. Remove the fuel rail studs.
   
9. Lift and remove the fuel rail with injectors.
   
10. Loosen the plenum duct clamp in order to remove the intake manifold.
    
11. Remove the intake manifold bolts.
    
12. Remove the intake manifold.
    

To install:

1. Install the intake manifold, fitting the plenum duct over the intake manifold duct.
   
2. Loosely install the intake manifold bolts.
   

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Intake manifold torque sequence-4.6L engine

2. Tighten the intake manifold bolts in sequence. Tighten the intake manifold bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
   
4. Tighten the plenum duct clamp to the intake manifold. Tighten the plenum duct clamp to 24 inch lbs. (2.75 Nm).
   
5. Inspect the fuel injector O-rings. Ensure the fuel injector O-rings are not missing, misaligned or damaged. Replace the O-rings if necessary.
   
6. Lubricate the intake manifold fuel injector bores with light mineral oil (GM P/N 9981704), clean engine oil, or equivalent.
   
7. Install the fuel rail with fuel injectors as an assembly.
   
8. Install the fuel rail studs. Tighten the fuel rail studs to 80 inch lbs. (9 Nm).
   
9. Install the fuel rail bracket nut to the engine lift bracket. Tighten the fuel rail bracket nut to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
   
10. Install the fuel injector wiring harness.
    
11. Connect the fuel injector electrical connectors to the fuel injectors.
    
12. Install the PCV dirty air tube to the PCV orifice in the right camshaft cover and to the intake manifold.
    
13. Install the PCV fresh air feed tube to the camshaft cover and the water crossover.
    
14. Install the fuel pressure regulator vacuum tube to the fuel pressure regulator and the throttle body.
    
15. Install the brake booster hose to the throttle body.
    

HI, ok lets address each issue as your asked 1. Timing belt: since this engine uses a timing chain and it runs fine for the most part its unlikely to be the cause. 2. Ignition module: well the module not only sends the signal for spark timing but it also uses another signal for the fuel injectors. Since these ignition modules are very sensitive to heat the module may fail only when it is hot. So yes it could be the ignition module. 3. A fuel problem: Because you have fuel that sprays a foot high does not mean it has proper pressure. think of it as a garden hose the water flows out the end of the hose normally but when you place your thumb over the hose it squirts harder. You are trying to release the fuel from a much larger fuel rail threw a small shrader valve. Electric fuel pumps are little motors turning at very high rpms. when they get hot after use they draw more amperage and produce less volume and pressure. So yes fuel could be the issue. 3. Injectors clogged: Your right unlikely but you may want to do a resistance check of the injectors while cold then one while hot. You may find even one shorting out after it gets hot and this will shut down the whole bank of them. 4. Crank sensor: the crank sensor sends a pulse to the DIS module the ECM then controls the demand for fuel and timing. These crank sensors are prone to cracking and letting oil wick into the sensor apply heat and it can raise the resistance and make the sensor fail till it cools. So yes the crank sensor can cause this type of no start. 5. Cam sensor: no this model 3.1 did not use a cam sensor. 6. Intake gaskets: this would have to be one very large leak when hot. you could try pouring oil over the intake gasket area while cranking and see if it fires over. The oil is should be heavy and thick enough to seal it for a short time or show where it sucks it in. a few things you over looked are the importance that the temp sensor and TPS sensor play during a hot start. If the ECM thinks that the engine is cold it uses injector pulse like a choke on a carburetor. Good luck on your adventure I hope this has helped.

fuel pressure regulator is the only thing left that can cause no start due to fuel problem

Most likely the electric fuel pump in the tank is bad. You will here it hum while cranking. The failure is that the pump is not pumping enough fuel to keep the engine running. There are plastic tubes on the pump that deteriorate and get pin holes in them and leak fuel and lowering the volumn of fuel.

Also remove the vac. line to the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel injector rail. The fuel pressure regulator has a history of leaking fuel into the vac line and flooding out the engine. (Wear saftey glasses when removing lines)