[CanaganD]

For the last week, my car hasn't been able to start. It was getting increasingly harder and harder to start the car. Previously, I had to turn the key to ON for 3 seconds, then all the way to engage the starter. Not doing this will make the car even harder to start. At that point, I'd need to crank it, then shut it off, then crank it again immediately after to get it to start. Sometimes when the engine is hot, this is even harder.

So, now it won't even start. However, just now, being desperate and all, I checked the DME (as a lot of threads point to the DME as the problem most of the time). I held down one of the coils with my finger to run the pump. I could hear it running, then I hop into my car to start it. To my surprise, it started and then sputtered and died after some 2 seconds.

I got my buddy to hold down the relay while i cranked the engine, and the engine came to life immediately. This is after doing almost everything the entire week to get it to start. After the engine started, my buddy can let go of the relay and the engine would continue running. I also watched the relay as the engine is being cranked, it doesn't close. It's only after it's been forced to close (to get the engine running) that it stays closed.

I suspect that there should be something to trigger the fuel pump relay when I turn the key to ON, or even to START. Thing is, I remember hearing the pump go for 2-3 seconds when I used to turn it to the ON position. Now I don't even hear it.

So I really have just two questions:
1.) Is there something, a relay or a switch or a chip, that engages the fuel pump before the engine is started, or even when it's being cranked?

2.) Failing option 1, could I jump the ignition relay power to engage the fuel pump relay? The relays are right next to each other and the ignition relay is on when I turn the key to ON. I guess the question really is: is the fuel pump on all the time when the car is running?

Note: The DME looks to be in excellent condition. I was surprised when I opened it up. The copper on it all looks pretty shiny. In addition, the DME works fine when the car is running. It leads me to suspect that whatever is supposed to give the DME signal before start, is not working.

Thanks so much in advance.