probably a dumb question but gotta ask anyway

[Dean O]

when you turn on the ignition & you hear the fuel pump for a second or two - what exactly is doing? I'm wondering why mine only makes a noise perhaps once in every 2 or 3 times that I turn on the ignition.
I'm having starting issues & I can't remember whether they began AFTER I started turning the ignition on & off for as many times as it took to trigger the pre-start pump noise I'm thinking I may be pushing too much fuel through somehow.

[Si]

The pump comes on for a few seconds and pressurises the system.

The last few days i've driven the 8vi into work when i first turn the ignition on the fuel pump kicks in and it starts after the first turn of the engine, when i get to work and switch the engine off and back on once i've got the cark park pass the fuel pump does'nt click on and it takes quite a few more cranks to start.

No idea why though!

[Dean O]

Hello Si mine either starts in 0.01 seconds & ticks over perfectly or takes an eternity & idles on 2 cylinders for a few minutes
I'm now suspecting (having replaced so many parts without solving the issue) that I'm causing it myself

[Si]

have you tried the fuel pump relay in your mission to get things working?

[Dean O]

ain't tried that, Si. don't think anyone suggested it before, but its a quickie so what the Hell