Recently, in the past month I began to have problems that my mechanic cannot diagnose, so far, and which sounds like some but not completely alike any of the other issues I've read.

The car has 200,000 plus miles on it, getting good spark and plenty of cranking power.

If I stop and park the car within a few minutes of starting it in the garage, it won't start again for approx. 6-8 hours; a battery booster and battery charger were no help. The car acted as if it was NOT getting any fuel - it would crank and crank and crank but never fire.

The first time this happened about a month ago I had road service coverage and had it towed to my mechanic, this was on a Saturday evening.

Next Monday the mechanic called to tell me the car started with the first turn of the key, and he asked what the problem was -- I described the not starting immediately after starting. He did a diagnostic and found nothing wrong, fuel pressure, fuse in the engine compartment, spark, battery strength, air mass meter (mass air meter?? -- the sensor in the exhaust?? for the fuel injection)

Last week the same NOT-STARTING, cranking with apparently no fuel happened after I warmed the car up for 10-15 minutes driving to an appointment.

Walked home and had a friend drive me back that evening, elapsed time was from approx 12.45 PM until about 7.30 PM -- again the car started on first turn of the key. Didn't have to have it towed, drove it home w/o problems and put it in the garage.

Yesterday for the first time the car would not start in the garage. Same symptoms -- cranking as if it had no fuel.

Diagnostic Paths and Tests would be appreciated -
1. Have limited funds and cannot just replace one part after another until something works.

2. Mechanic rechecked car and still finds no error message from diagnostics -- all he can suggest is a $300 tuneup and he admits it may or may not solve the problem.

3. Have checked ignition wires and distributor cap, ground for battery to car frame, etc. Any other suggestions of _______________?

4. How to tell if fuel-injected engine is getting fuel?

5. Or is there another fuse, besides the bayonet fuse for fuel injection on wall of engine compartment?

6. Any other instruments, tools, suggested -- have a friend with great collection of automobile tools?

7. Any other resources or leads to suggest?


Thanks to one and all,
brickmann