I have bad news! As I said previously, the car started 3 straight times in 20 mins in my driveway on Friday--I never drove it; I just started it. I took the car for a 4 mile trip yesterday.

THE car needed 3 5 second turns of the key to start, which reminded me of the previous issue. When the car turned over, I let it idle for 30 seconds, as I normally do. THE idle was perfect. I drove 4 miles and hit 45 mph with no problem--I was on a surface street, not the freeway. THE car ran like a top.

I came out of the market 45 mins later and the car would not start! UGH!!!!!!!!! I was too tired and frustrated after having the car towed home to call my friend. HE will work on it today or tomorrow.

THE problem was obviously not resolved by the 2 relay switches and new battery. I wonder again why the car starts in the driveway, but when I go somewhere, it will not start. IS some piece such as the starter or ignition coil getting hot? A fuel pump would not work intermittently, would it? I read that a broken fuel pump usually fails completely and rather quickly, rather than hanging on for 5 months, causes hesitation, stalling, and poor acceleration, and makes the CHECK engine light come on. NONE of those issues APPLIES to me.

I am sure that my friend will check for gas and spark, too, when I turn the key. WHO knows what he will find? I certainly would like to go some place with the confidence that I will be able to get home by driving, not by towing. ANY new ideas? THANKS

 

I know your frustrated but suggest you relax. The 1985 is a solid car and simple.

I had a car one time having similar issues. Turned out to be the ign wire going from the coil to the distributor. Drove me nuts until I found it.

How are the ign wires?

The ign coil can go bad and sometimes the case cracks. A bad coil is common issue. A cracked case will have the coil susceptible to weather changes.

Fuel pumps do tend to die all at once but sometimes they struggle before doing so.