Car will not start. I can spray starting fluid in it and it will run as long as I keep spraying. Otherwise it will not start.

if I'm reading this right...
... the engine starts and dies within a few seconds.
... you jumpered the fuel pump test connector and it will keep running.
... you smell fuel after trying to re-start when it dies.

Disconnect the plug to the cold start injector. Even if you have an issue with the engine running then dying after a few seconds after doing this, if you don't smell fuel after disconnecting the cold start injector and try to restart it, the cold start time injector time switch may be failing.

Buy a can of starting fluid and have someone start the engine then spray short bursts of the fluid around all the intake fittings. If spraying the fluid in any particular area keeps the engine running, I'd start looking for leaks around that area.


It does sound like an AFM or COR issue considering it dies after a few seconds, but the fuel smell when trying to restart the engine may be a separate issue that needs corrected / isolated first.it will keep running.

... you smell fuel after trying to re-start when it dies.


Disconnect the plug to the cold start injector. Even if you have an issue with the engine running then dying after a few seconds after doing this, if you don't smell fuel after disconnecting the cold start injector and try to restart it, the cold start time injector time switch may be failing.


Buy a can of starting fluid and have someone start the engine then spray short bursts of the fluid around all the intake fittings. If spraying the fluid in any particular area keeps the engine running, I'd start looking for leaks around that area.


It does sound like an AFM or COR issue considering it dies after a few seconds, but the fuel smell when trying to restart the engine may be a separate issue that needs corrected / isolated first.

Could be a sensor. Have it scanned would be my suggestion.

spray starting fluid in throttle opening & see if it starts that way. May have to do a few times.

Do you have spark (1) and do you have fuel pressure (2) You can simply check for fuel pressure by finding the bleeder valve on the fuel rail and depressing it with a small screwe driver to see if a solid spray comes out. Not full proof. Also spray starting fluid in the throttle body and try to start the engine. Note: if it has a MAF sensor in the AIR INTAKE TUBE YOU THEN NEED TO SPRAY THE FLUID PRIOR TO THAT SENSOR OTHERWISE CAR WON'T START.

If you think its fuel, spray some starter fluid inthe throttle body. If it fires up, you have a fuel problem, otherwise, check your spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor. Also, check your fuses.

Try spraying starting fluid into the intake of the air cleaner while someone else starts the car. Keep a continual spray going while the car is cranked. If the car starts more than likely the fuel pump went out.

have fuel pressure tested pump may run but may not have enough pressure to activate injectors,also check timing chain or belt!!Best of Luck!!!!

be nice to give more info, otherwise check gas and battery's and connections

Replace the fuel pump its bad.

Spray some starting fluid into the throttle body. If the ignition system is working properly the car will start and run. While it's running spray more starting fluid into the throttle body little by little and see if you can keep it running. If it does run and stays running this way, your fuel pump is not working properly any more.