Starts then dies, but will eventually stay running

The first thing i would check for is codes have you done that yet?Also do you have a multimeter to do some testing?you could have a bad coolant temp sensor it would make sense for your symptoms.

I don't have a reader for the newer stuff....Yet. It Does it hot or cold

Hi saturntech9. How about low oil level / pressure and the fuel pump is switched on by oil pressure? I don't know which years or models that applies to but sure sounds like how that system acted.

Hey Doc, The fuel pumps that are integrated into the fuel pump circuit are done so as redundant power supplies for the pump. The relay will pre-empt the oil sender, unless it is bad.

It wouldnt hurt caridodoc jhenriksen check your oil level see if its low.Also take it to a auto parts store like auto zone and have them scan the computer for codes.If you have any codes then let me know the exact code numbers not the code descriptions.Also a multimeter would be helpful to test things.

Oil level is good. I will get it scanned. I do have a mulitmeter.

Alright let me know about the codes and we will go from there.

No codes, fuel pressure kinda dances from low to high 40s as i crank it over and its trying to start.

Pull the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line off the nipple see if there is fuel coming out of the nipple.

Nope, its dry

Another thing to try with the fuel pressure gauge hooked dont start just turn the key to the run position for a couple of seconds then tun it off.Then repeat that two more times then watch the fuel pressure for 5mins and let know what the fuel pressure reads in 5 mins.

will try that tomarrow

Alright keep me posted have a safe and happy new years.

44-45 pounds

Alright do you have a multimeter?

yes.

Alright when the engine hasnt been started that day and you know the outside temp.Unplug the coolant temp sensor and measure resistance across the coolant temp sensors terminals.Let me know the outside temp and the resistance of the coolant temp.Also make sure the connector going to it that the terminals arent all blue or green instead of silver.

14.85k its about 18 f degrees

I have the same car and when i first got mine about 4 months ago i had this same problem.. . in my car the map sensor was bad but i replaced it and haven't had a problem out of that area since hope it helps

Thats pretty close to what it should be have you checked your map sensor?Can you get a hold of a scan tool that can read live data?SO we can see whats going on when its cold starting?

Maybe, it does it hot or cold. But it didn't do it at all today?????

well keep me posted if it does it again.

It did it today as I was leaving work. I'll try to get a hold of a scanner this weekend.

Alright keep me posted.

Well after messing with this thing for a few months I finally threw in the towel and took it to somebody. Faulty Ignition switch. Thanks everybody for your help.

Quite the unexpected solution but happy to hear it's solved. Between making parts lighter weight, switching more and more electrical stuff on and off, and squeezing parts suppliers to cut costs on parts, there has been a lot more trouble with ignition switches than in the past. Chrysler had a lot of trouble with them overheating contacts and melting the electrical connectors, but their problems were mostly with the switched power windows, heater fan, and radio circuit. Ford was having trouble with switches causing fires even after the engine was stopped. Don't hear about GM having switch trouble very much, probably because they make the largest percentage of their own parts.