2004 S40 1.9T Difficulty starting. Broken Fuel Pump?

[SecretSauce]

My 2004 S40 1.9T has 108k miles and I just had the 105k maintenance done this past October. They did all the 105K mile work ( timing belt, serpentine belt, fuel fiter, water pump). Starting in early November i noticed that the car was taking longer to start.

It got progressivley worse until now, where in order to start the car i need to:

1. Attempt to start the car (which usually fails)
2. Open the hood and remove the 15A fuse for the fuel pump
3. Start the car
4. Quickly run back out and put the fuel pump fuse back in.

I know the fuel pressure regulator is often the culprit, so I changed it out with an OEM one from IPD. But that didn't help.

I don't think it's the battery, since jump starting doesn't help.

After the engine gets going, I am able to drive just fine it just idles i little higher (1250-1500rpm) and very little surges at idle.

It runs really rich, so I think I'll need to change the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor (again...) I also bought new spark plugs, so i'll try that too.

My car starting procedure makes me think it's a fuel system issue, but I'm not really sure. I don't really know what to do, and would like to avoid sending her back to the mechanic.

Thanks in advance

[def420]

Hello there. Check the fuelpump (a guide can be found here) , if it fails, it has similar symptoms. Otherwise check your Fuel Regulator .