850 starts well but dies 3-4 seconds later
 

The fuel pump runs for about 5 sec after the ign turned on.
engine starts when cranked , runs well for about 3 seconds and dies.
fuel pump is on. engine will restart.

any ideas?
My Haynes manual was a bust.

Thanks

art de armond

sounds like a fuel pressure issue. Could be the fuel pump relay or the fuel injector relay or the fuel pump is failing or a clogged fuel filter. Best thing would be to put a pressure gauge on the fuel rail. Next try jumpering the fuel pump relay. Note if it turns out to be the fuel pump relay, start shopping for a replacement pump - quite often its a failing pump that burns out the relay, then the pump fails entirely a short while later.

Thanks! I'll check it out.

art

Also check the key ignition switch. I had this very problem on a 96 NA wagon I was working on for a friend. Would kick over and run fine for just 3 or 4 seconds then would die. And not sputter out just die like it lose power. I changed the ignition barrel and the car kept running. I would also check the fuel pressure as mentioned before. Also the fuel filter can get clogged allowing little to no gas to get to the engine causing this sort of thing.

turned out that the problem was a "fuel" problem but
not gasoline. The problem was on the air side.
the hose from the aircleaner box ( with its attached
mass airflow sensor) to the fuel injection had a
large hidden hole. Allowed air that was unmeasured
to enter the system. The master mechanic's secret
weapon (gorilla tape) provided a temp fix. New hose
showed up today.

The forum members replies were all good ones.

Thanks for the help!!

art