ive checked the fuel pump relay behind the glove box and it clicks on. yes, it has gas. the car starts and then shuts off right away. i was told it could be the distributer or the ignition module. anybody know how to check if its any of those? btw its a 96 dx

 

the next thing you need to check is for spark on all 4 cylinders. if they check out, move on to your grounds (starter, trans, VC), and then to the dizzy.

have you recently changed your spark plug wires? if so is the firing order correct? check the plugs themselves also.

 

how do u check the spark plugs and dizzy? ive never changed the spark plug wires and i dont know if they were changed before i got the car. ive only had it for a year. the car has been working fine up until yesterday. the only problems ive had was that something keeps draining the battery so i have to unplug it everytime i get out of the car. ive already gone through every fuse but cant find whats killing it

 

Any CEL codes?

Does the fuel pump ever fail to prime?

Do you ever reach a point where the engine cranks but just won't start?

What color is spark at the plugs? Click the Spark link in my signature.

The battery is likely dying due to a parasitic drain. Here's how to pinpoint the problem:

http://batterychargerstore.com/what-...tic-drain.html

 

theres an eld code that was thrown out a few months back but the check engine light doesnt work so it jumped from the oil light so it comes on when i start the car so i can get it smogged. when i turn the car on i do not hear the fuel pump come on but the relay does click. the engine does crank over for about a second and then shuts off

 

You need the CEL to work. CEL codes may be the key to solving the problem. Pull the cluster out to see whether someone removed the CEL bulb. If so, replace it.

Turn the key to ON(II). Do you hear the low humming noise of the fuel pump priming for 2 seconds?

 

the bulb is there. the light just doesnt come on. im guessing when i bought the car they had disabled it from coming on.so i jumped it from the oil light so it comes on cause when u smog they check and make sure the light works. i checked it before i smogged it and it threw the eld code. ive had it like this since i got the car a year ago. the car just did this yesterday. usually it started up fine. but i did not hear the pump come on when i tried it today

 

The CEL bulb may be burned out. Check the codes now.

 

no the bulp works i just take the power from the oil light cause the cel bulb isnt getting power. i cant check the cel now cause the car wont start i dont have a tester of my own.