Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, oldsmobile cutlas, intake manifold gasket

Question
Something new has developed

The first time we tried to hear the fuel pump we heard nothing. The second time I heard the fuel pump. So we tried it again and again we heard nothing.  We did notice the lights on the dash did not come on the first time, but did come on the second time.  The third time we tried it there were no lights on on the dash.

We tried it a fourth time and the dash lights came on and I heard the fuel pump, so I had him try to start the engine and it started and sounds fine.

Now what do we do?

-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
-I have spark for sure, I'm assuming it is not getting any fuel, but I do not know how to determine this, since it is fuel injected.  We just filled up the gas tank about 20 miles before coming home.

We drove home with no problems and turned the car off and unloaded it.  After unloading the car we started it and pulled it up about 10 feet with no problem.  The next thing we know it would not start about 3 hours later.

------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I drove my car home today with no problems, lights coming on or any sign of a problem. When I went out later and tried to start my car it will not start.

It sounds like the engine is turning over fine, but nothing happens.  There seems to be no firing.

Is this a common problem and what can I do to determine what the problem is and how can I repair it myself?

My 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlas has 79,000 miles on it and has had the intake manifold gasket replaced twice, very recently.  I also here this is a very common problem with the Cutlass and the Malibu.  
Answer -
You stated : "There seems to be no firing.

How did you determine this ?>

You need to determine if you have ignition to the spark plugs and or have no fuel to the injectors BEFORE we can do any diagnostics.

autohelp
Answer -
OK, Using a helper do the following:

1. remove the gas cap.

2. Have one person listen in the tank at the gas cap opening.

3. Have the other person turn the ignition switch to the ON position ONLY. Do NOT try and start the engine.

4. As soon as the ignition is turned to the ON position, the person listening at the gas tank should hear the electric fuel pumpm in the fuel tank run for ONLY 2 seconds and then stop. Does it ?.


When you checked for ignition to the spark plugs did you check ALL the spark plugs or just ONE ?.

Also pull a spark plug or two and let me know what COLOR the tips of the plugs are colored. they should be a light reddish color.


autohelp  

Answer
Repeat this EXACT same procedure with the shift lever in NEUTRAL with the emergency brake applied.

If you get the exact same results, I would highly suspect that there is a problem in the electrical portion of the ignition switch located under the dash on the steering column or on the transmission shift linkage at the transmission.

I believe yours is on the transmission at the shift linkage.

If you do NOT get these same erratic results and everything seems to be OK, I would suspect that the ignition switch is either mis-adjusted and or is faulty.

On some model vehicles this NEUTRAL STARTER SAFETY SWITCH is located on the shift lever on the transmission.

Have you had ANY work done of any kind done on the vehicle lately ?.


autohelp