I read on here a long time ago about poor solder quality ona relay for the fuel distribution on these cars that would not function when hot.

I can't find the old thread. Can some one enlighten me on this issue? My car is doing this now. Turns over and fires a few times then quits. Cranks fine and won't fire but has spark then at random it will fire again...sometimes after sitting for as long as 15 minutes.

This "free" car is nickle and diming me to death.

Thanks.

 

Just search main fuel relay or MFR. There are tons of posts on here about that.

 

Search "main relay" also.

If this happens more when the interior is hot, it's a good candidate. The main relay switches power to the fuel pump, so when it fails the starter works fine but the engine has no fuel.

But... The part about firing a few times doesn't fit. First thing, turn key to 'ON' but don't immediately go to 'START'. Listen for the fuel pump to run for a couple seconds then quit. It's not very loud, so you may need someone listening at the fuel filler door.

 

It acts like it's firing off of whatever residual fuel might be in the injectors so it fires just briefly, then dies. Then it may fire just a bit like it's running out of fuel. Often after sitting for a few minutes it fires. I do think it's heat related though.