So, two days ago I am left standing in my driveway, dumbfounded by a no start as I was leaving for work. Cranks and cranks until the cows come home, but no fire. Pulled a plug and found it dry. Obviously no fuel was being injected. I got into another car and headed to work, running possible scenarios in my head. When I get home I resume the hunt and jumper fuse 6 to fuse 4. I hear the in-tank pump running, so my diagnostic turns its focus to the fuel pump relay.

I remove the relay and take it to the bench, where I open it and assess the solder joints. All looks good. The relay is a KAE branded replacement, made in Germany, and to my eye appears to be a quality made item. Upon testing it is discovered that it functions normally, and I reinstall it. It's at this point that I find myself well puzzled, and here is why. Relay installed, I attempt again to start the car, with no change in it's behavior. Lots of cranking power, but no fire. Out of curiosity I decide to move the relay around as I turn the key, and it's then that the car starts normally. So I shut it off and try again, this time not touching the relay. No start. I try again without touching the relay, but decide to touch the relay as I crank it, if it appears the car will not start. Crank crank crank, touch my hand to the relay, and it fires right up. It seems to me that my touch is either discharging some sort of static or somehow providing a ground. Those are the only scenarios that come to my mind. I am not maneuvering the relay around at all. I am simply placing my hand on it.

Strange stuff. By the way, I have checked the integrity of the connections made by the multiplug, and they are sound.

Would anyone else venture a guess? I'd love to hear 'em.