Dear rzh,

Hope you're well. When the car won't start:(a) do you hear the fuel pump "spin-up"for one or two seconds, after you move the key to "ON"? (b) does the tachometer needle move from "0", while the starter is turning the engine?

If the answer to (a) is "NO" and (b) is "YES", the fuel pump relay could be failing.

If the answer to (a) and (b) is NO, then the Crankshaft Position Sensor might be failing. If this sensor fails, the ECM shuts down the fuel pump. This sensor usually fails because the wiring harness cracks with heat/time, and lets moisture get into the wires, causing a short circuit.

If the answer to (a) and (b) is YES, the fuel pump may be on the way out. As fuel pumps are sealed units, there's no easy way to inspect them.

Another possibility is that the ignition power stage, mounted on the inner fender well (on the driver's side in a non-turbo car; may be on the passenger side for a turbo-equipped model, just to the rear of the headlight), may be failing. This device, flat, with a single connector and a gray cap, sometimes fails when outside temps are high.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook