The reason why it's gotta be this cause my starting issue.

when turn the key to on( 1 turn before cranking the starter) I hear the the fuel pump buzz for like 2 secs. and when turn the key to off or radio only, I hear the buzz again for 2 secs..I would assume that's my fuel pump activating and disactiving, right?

now to start the car, I would either hold the key for a constant crank for approx 5 seconds and then the car would start on the 2nd or 3rd try

or

I would crank 2-3 seconds interval for approx 5 times and on the last 2 times I would give it a little gas, then the car would start.

Things I noticed
in either situations, the car would start and it would either:

Conk out right away since the rpms would drop all of a sudden and if I play with the throttle on the car's struggle to start, it would "catch" and the car would start... it would burn a little rich at start up due to the extra gas I provided on start up

or

The car starts, the RPM jumps from approx 1700 RPM down to like 500 RPM, and back up and back down, and eventually it would "catch" and the car would start... it would burn a little rich at start up due to the extra gas I provided on start up


Besides that, the car runs great..
I've been putting 91 octance since I got her and suppodely the previous owners as well.
recently replaced: Knock sensor( code has not reapeared since), spark plugs, oil, ECTS( didn't have any code, but was replaced),

I'd like to hear all the what and where's...and maybe how to fix..

also, I have a socket that's perfect to unscrew the spark plugs... however, I cannot get them out of the cylinder? what do I use to pull out the s.p.'s?


Thanks g's

uh check the fuel pressure regulator..
and get a fuel pressure test done..
and ur fuel pump checked also..

Probably you have a regular deep socket. You need a spark plug socket; it looks the same as yours but it has a rubber inside that holds the spark plug so you could take it out.

u could also have a leaky injector bleeding off fuel pressure

The rubber's been gone out of my spark plug tool for a while. I loosen the plugs, then put the coil assembly back in. The rubber on the end of the coil pack will hold on to the plug when you pull it out.

...

I am looking at my FPR... what am I supposed to see??
can I do the fuel pressure test myself? and how?
I assume my fuel pump is working since I can hear it spool up and off..
how to check fuel pump?

yes, I remember you telling me that. and the only way to check is to pull out the plugs to see if there is a lot of carbon build up on the tip..
problem is, I wasn't able to pull out the plugs..

however, if it is a leaky injector.. how would I fix that issue?