when i turn the key to on... i can hear the fuel pump kick on for a few seconds like you said but when i start it,(when its not running) it acts like it has no gas. on my most recent test drive i blew the side of the muffler out from trying to get the car home. it kept bucking and backfiring and i thought i blew the car up but it was the muffler. it drove fine for about 10 miles but then kicked the bucket. i guess next ill try the throttle cleaner test u mentioned and i guess ill replace the fuel pump and hope that fixes it.

 

Does the CEL ever come on when this is happening?

 

Problem has symptoms more frequently associated w/ ignition problems; leaking spark (bad wires or distributor tower), or bad coil (weak spark).

Fuel pump is usually an all or nothing situation; either no start or good fuel supply. Yours appears OK.

good luck

 

no the CEL doesnt come on just the rpm gauge goes crazy. so i shouldnt mess with the pump? cuase i am not looking foward to it. i cant fit a cyphin hose in my tank and i just put $40 in it. not gonna be fun. what is this "bad coil" and how is it fixed?

 

Coil is in distributor and distributor cap must be removed and electrical connections released to isolate coil for resistance check. See http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html" for details on looking for electrical faults in ignition system.

good luck