so i get into my car to go to work and the car does not start. it would just crank and crank. after i would wait (10-20mins) i would get back in and it would start right up. this would go on for a few weeks. also it doesnt always happen, sumtimes, get in and starts on 1st try. and last nite leaving work, i was 2-5mins into my drive home, waiting and the signal light, the car just dies. i try to start it but it just cranks. after waiting a little bit, i get in and it starts.

car has 186,000
only light ON is the maintenance light

any help would be greatly appreciated

 

my 99 4cyl would do that and the main relay was the problem. good Luck

 

Turn off all the noisemakers in the cabin, like radio & ventilation.

Turn the key to ON but don't immediately turn it to START.

Listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds then stop. If it DOES, then your main relay is OK.

Typically happens when the interior of the car is very hot. After sitting for 10 minutes with the windows open, the interior cools down & it works OK.

 

Could be faulty ignition switch ?

 

Thanks for the quick responses.

I checked my fuel pump and I hear it run for 2sec when I initially turn the ignition in the on position.

And would a faulty ignition switch make my car die while waiting at a signal light? If so, how do I check it?

 

You will need a multimeter. http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2631/ign.jpg

 

Easy way to check is wiggle the key.

If you can make it stall by wiggling the key, then you just proved it's the key.

If it doesn't stall by wiggling the key, then you really haven't proven anything - it still might be a flaky switch. But it didn't cost you anything to check.