car wont stay started

140,000 MILES
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DAVIDHADLEY37
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
my car starts be fuel pump is good but then it shuts off after a few seconds, fuel pressure seems to surge and then the car shuts off. It always starts which makes me think the fuel pump is working but not regulating the fuel pressure properly.
Dec 11, 2016 at 6:43 AM
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JIS001
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,412 POSTS
Try and scan the computer for codes. If the vehicle starts up okay and then shuts off after two seconds then you could have an immobilizer issue? If that is the case if you have another key then try using that key instead. For now here is a link to help you scan your cars computer if you have a scanner.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing
Dec 11, 2016 at 7:07 AM
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DAVIDHADLEY37
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
it is in the fuel pump it has to because it starts and sputters for about two seconds then it shuts off. so i would not say it is an okay start up.
Dec 11, 2016 at 7:35 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,374 POSTS
Okay, it sounds like the pump is getting the prime signal but then the pump relay is shutting off. Usually this is because the ECM is not getting a signal from the crank sensor telling it that the engine is running and it shuts off the fuel because it cannot determine a timing signal without the crank sensor input. You could jump the pump relay to see if it stays running, but you would need a scope or scan tool to verify that the crank sensor has failed. Or as this is a common sensor failure just replace the sensor and the problem should go away.
Dec 11, 2016 at 9:34 AM
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