Hi to all, I have a new '92 Formula 350, 37k original miles, car like mint in and out. Problem I have is I have to turn the key 5 times in the morning to get car to start, then it is fine and runs smooth. After work, about 9 hours of car sitting ( in shade ), same thing! Any help please, I am broke and cant afford to take it to a shop for guessing and labor rates for trying to solve it. Thanks! Andy

 

You should be a little more descriptive. Do you mean you have to bump the key to the start position 5 times or that you have to crank on it 5 times? Whats it doing the first 5 times you try to start it?

 

Do you hear the fuel pump kick in for a second when you turn the key on (but don't start it)? If not, your fuel pump relay might be bad.

 

well if you have to "bump it" i would say starter, if you crank it five times and it just wont start, im gonna go with fuel pump relay since the back up fuel pump turn on switch is oil presure if i remember correctly

 

Hi, Thanks everyone. I put the key in, turn the key and the car tries to start ( engine turning ). I dont hear the fuel pump. I repeat this for four times with nothing but engine turning and always on the fifth try it starts. But I want to fix it before whatever it is get worse. Where is the fuel pump relay please? Thanks! Andy

 

Hey there,

Your fuel pump relay should be on the firewall on the driver's side... There's 3 relays, your fuel pump relay is one of them... i'm just not sure as to which one is the fuel pump relay.

 

Thanks! Will check it tomorrow morning! Andy

 

i believe its the relay in the middle, if its an OEM relay it might say fuel pump on it

 

All the relays have the same part number on them and no marks for use? Anyone know where I can which is for what please? Thanks! Andrew

 

Fuel pump relay has the Red, Orange, Grey, Black/White, and Dark Green/White wires going into it.

 

Swap a fan relay with the fuel pump relay and see if it starts on the first try.

The oil pressure switch will operate the fuel pump when there is oil pressure. Probably what is happening is the engine cranks 4 time (or so) and then builds enough oil pressure to close the oil pressure switch on the 5th try. Then the fuel pump runs and engine starts. If this is the problem, then the fuel pump only continues to run through the oil pressure switch and not through the relay.

The oil pressure switch is a backup power source for the fuel pump.

Sounds like your fuel pump relay is bad. Another easy way to check is to have someone near the tank when you turn the key to ON (not crank). If the pump primes for a few seconds, then the relay is working.

 

Thanks! Got it.