Car starts but dies instantly - Stays started if switch held

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THEBESTPKEVER
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  • 1 POST
Hey everyone... I got a problem with my '89 Ford Probe GL...

My car died while sitting at a stop light the other day. Car cranks and starts but dies instantly. But, If I hold the key SLIGHTLY in the start position right after starting it, the car stays running and drives as normal (just a lil' hard holding the key constantly and using my left hand to operate the shifter).

Could this be just an ignition switch problem?

Car history: Before this happened I randomly would have the instant car dying problem, but every few cranks it would stay started and drive no problem. Last owner said that the shop they took it to said it was an intermittent fuel pump problem... even thought they replaced the fuel pump once after this happened :/

5 Speed, FWD, 95k miles
Sep 21, 2007 at 10:21 AM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
[quote:5787d94820="TheBestPKEver"]Hey everyone... I got a problem with my '89 Ford Probe GL...

My car died while sitting at a stop light the other day. Car cranks and starts but dies instantly. But, If I hold the key SLIGHTLY in the start position right after starting it, the car stays running and drives as normal (just a lil' hard holding the key constantly and using my left hand to operate the shifter).

Could this be just an ignition switch problem?

Car history: Before this happened I randomly would have the instant car dying problem, but every few cranks it would stay started and drive no problem. Last owner said that the shop they took it to said it was an intermittent fuel pump problem... even thought they replaced the fuel pump once after this happened :/

5 Speed, FWD, 95k miles[/quote:5787d94820]

If you can get it to run with no problem while key is in start position it is an indication of a bad ignition switch.
Sep 21, 2007 at 3:02 PM
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MY_PROBE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
i think its a plug on the intake close to the filter box mine was loose and thats what happened to me also. you might want to check it. i think its to the airflow meter
Oct 28, 2007 at 4:52 PM
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