93 850 intermittent fail to start

[Clivus]

Please help with diagnosis.
1. Starts with ether (starting fluid) and will continue running indefinitely Might restart the rest of the day.
2. I’ve replaced the 103 relay. Fuel pump runs for about 1 second when turning key. I’ve jumped the pins as well with no difference.
3. I tested 45 lbs on the fuel rail while running, but all I have is an old fashioned stick tire pressure gauge. After turning car off it will restart but pressure at the rail dropped to nothing very quickly. (Couple minutes)
Troubleshooter says regulator, fuel pump, or injectors. I wouldn’t expect it to run well if the pump was that weak, or to put out that much pressure, but maybe I’m wrong.

Where should I check next?

[scot850]

Coolant temp sensor (ECT). There are specs for this and check the condition of the connector by the power steering pump.

Neil.

[Clivus]

I pulled the plug on the ECT and got 2.3 kiloOhms at 65 F. I pulled a spark plug and it looks lean and was gapped at 0.050. Would too large a gap cause this? Maybe with cold start, it needs the extra octane of the starter fluid to get going? I’m trying not to replace injector seals, regulator, and pump to check the leak down issue in fuel pressure.

[scot850]

Plugs must be gapped to 0.028". Try that first.

There are figures out there for the correct ambient temp to resistance value for the ECT.

Neil.