Just got my 98SE back from the shop after I had starting problems. What the car was doing before was running for just a second then cutting off. It ran fine for a few hours after i got it back, now its doing the same thing again, not even attempting to fire but cranking. the shop owner told me he replaced the fuel pump relay, i tried switching it out with other matching relays to no avail. any clue?

 

does the fuel pump turn on?

 

If it were me I would check out the crank shaft sensor first and then your cam shaft sensor next. A Haynes book will tell you how to check these sensors out. These sensors has been known to cause this type of problem. Normally if it is the crank shaft sensor this "no start? condition will usually occur when you try to start the car after it has been running for a while and is still hot. Good luck.

 

Does the fuel pump make any noise on these cars? I put my ear right up to it and heard nothing.
There is no pressure coming out the top of the brand new fuel filter after I pulled the line. I again tried different relays under the wheel to the left in the fuse panel. I believe the middle relay on the left is the fuel pump's, and I tried switching it out with the other 2 relays which are the same, still no pressure.
I then decided to remove the back seat and take a look under the cover at the fuel pump wiring/connections. I saw what looked to me to be two wires melted together, as one wires had been left completely exposed/not wrapped - see here.

I'm not sure if this truly is the culprit, but I can't think of much else that would cause a no fuel issue. Regardless it's going back to the shop immediatley and I surely hope I don't get any grief about fixing it.

Nonetheless the car was running great up until I went to leave the golf course 4 hours later. I've never had a hot start issue, however it does seem to cut out soe timeswhen turning over even when it does start. Crank Crank Crank, pause, Crank Crank Crank is what I would describe it as.
Thanks