Hi there guys!

First post here. I just had an issue with my car this morning and was wondering if any of you guys could give me some insight on what is actually going wrong, so that I could fix it. I really appreciate any input you may have. Thanks guys!!

THE EVENT:
This morning I went out to my car. I put the key to the "accessory" position, what this normally does is allow my fuel pump to turn on and prime itself/warm up, whatever it does (it seems to help), and then I turn the key all the way after like 3-4 seconds and start the car. I know to start it when the fuel relay (I think thats what it is) clicks off and the fuel pump stops humming, so that I know its "primed" or warmed up or whatever. Also the engine light is on for those 3-4 seconds when the fuel pump is humming, and then clicks off along with the fuel pump (hopefully this isn't a bad thing).

Today it did not turn on/hum/prime. The radio turned on, but the fuel pump seemed to be silent. I was able to start the car, although it seemed to take longer to crank over. I then started driving, and not 10 minutes later my car just died on me. The electrics continued working, but the engine was dead and I was rolling along the road.

TROUBLE SHOOTING:
Basically what is happening is the car has power (the accessories run, like the headlights, radio etc), but my car will not run. When I start it, it turns on (its a manual, so I'll put the clutch in, hold the brake, and crank the key all the way). As long as the starter is turning over, the engine will run (and the tachometer needle moves etc), but when I release the key it immediately stalls, like it stalls as I let go of the key. Giving the car gas does nothing to keep it running.

I have an inkling that maybe this is a fuel pump/relay/filter issue

NOTES:
1) It's somewhat cold out, but I don't think it should affect the car's performance. Last winter when it got lower than -10'C (14'F) I basically couldn't start it at all.
2) I have not changed the fuel filter at all since owning the car (have had it for about 2 yrs/20,000 km (12,500 miles), and I have no idea when it was last done by the previous owner.
3) A brand new battery was put in last year (with high cold cranking amps)
4) I've put in fuel injector cleaners/fuel line thawers about 2-3 times, but the last time I did that was last winter.
5) I have run the tank pretty close to totally empty numerous times, and only just recently realized that it is bad for the fuel pump.
6) As I mentioned above, the engine light clicks on for the short amount of time when the fuel pumps "primes" (if that is what it is doing), but disappears when the fuel pump/relay clicks off. I have previously ignored this issue and hope it wasn't a bad thing to do.

 

I don't think Canada & USA cars are any different, so I was confused about what you said with the pump running.

Key in position 1:
Radio & accessory stuff has power, but not fuel pump nor engine warning lamps.

Position 2 ("RUN" position):
Dashboard warning lamps come on. Ignition & ECU gets power. Fuel pump runs for about 2 seconds then turns off.

Position 3 ("START"):
Starter runs.

If the electrical part of your ignition switch is getting flaky, it's possible that after starting the engine, the switch actually moves too far, so it switches off the ignition circuit shutting down the engine.

Try this:
Turn the key to 2; then just a tiny bit farther. Not enough to run the starter, but see whether a tiny bit of extra movement will cause the dashboard to light up & the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds.

Then start it; but don't completely let go of the key. Let the key back far enough to make the starter quit, but not far enough for the engine to quit. Is that possible??

If it's running OK, can you make it quit by wiggling the key a little bit?

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It's sorta common for the mechanical connection to get sloppy between the lock cylinder and the electrical part of the switch. Or the electrical switch just gets sloppy.

You might be able to take the plastic shrouds off the steering column & adjust or tighten the screws that fasten the electrical switch onto the lock cylinder. Or more likely you just have to buy a new electrical switch.

 

If the key in position 2 causes the dashboard warning lights to light up, but the pump doesn't run, THEN my suspicion moves to the main-relay. You can search this board for "main relay" & find all kinds of stuff about that.

 

I thought that might be confusing... Anyways I decided a mechanic was in order and brought it down the road to him to have him take a look. And I actually did just what you said there, and that seems to be the issue, not a relay. I think you're right on. I'll check back

I guess the switch will just need to be replaced. I am going to update this post with what gets fixed in case people want to reference this later on.