Ford Repair: 1999 Ford Contour, ford contour, crank sensor

Question
I have a 1999 Ford contour with a 2.5 in it.  It is DOHC.  On top end it quits taking gas, and eventually dies.  But it can't be the fuel pump, because when you try to start it you can turn the key on and hear the fuel pump run, but it won't start.  But you can click the key on and off a few times, and it will start and run great for a while and then it quits taking gas again, and dies, or it quits firing.  What do you think my problem is?  Thanks, Tony

Answer
hey there, the first thing i would look is the wiring harness under the hood of this vehicle, these are very famous for rotting out wiring harness, there was a recall on them for quite some time, but i have noticed that not all of them got done, check the wiring to the crank sensor, the IAC motor , the TPS, just everywhere you can physically see the wring harness, if any of the sheathing it deteriorated and wires are touching each other, the engine typically doesn't start, at this point you have two choices, repair the harness( depends on how severely damaged the harness is) or replace the harness,  the first place i see them rot out is at the rank sensor, so check that first.
Chris