I recently repaired the fuel pump wiring behind
the left rear signal light. I bypassed the plug for
direct connection.

Twice now, in the last week, I've tried to start the
beast and it fires and dies, fires and dies, etc. Then
after 12 or 15 of these it goes and runs fine. It can
sit while I am at work and it fires up just fine.

Both times it had been sitting for over a day. But it's
sat a day and not had a problem starting either...

Head scratcher....

Ideas???

Flooding??

I doubt it...... how would I know??

Not really sure, but I was just thinking that since you bypassed the plug that maybe it's staying on for a couple seconds after shut off and it's just pumping gas into the rail and leaking down to the cylinder and flooding

The plug is just a connector and doesn't have any
control over run time.

The plug is just a connector and doesn't have any
control over run time.

You didn't say how you bypassed the connectors.  If you soldered them that is about as good as it gets.  With loose connections the fuel pump won't run right, and you may not be getting enough fuel to run.

It might be hard to do, but you need to find out if you are losing fuel or spark.  My guess would be fuel (and not a flooding issue).
Next time it has sat for awhile, and before you actually start it, turn the key to run and let the fuel pump run until you hear the relay click off after 3 seconds.  Then turn the key off and back to run again for 3 seconds.  Do this 5 times, then try to start it.  If it starts and stays running, then that is a good indication that you are losing pressure in the fuel system for some reason.

BRD has a good idea on checking your wiring splice/bypass too.  If you aren't getting full voltage to the fuel pump, then it won't be running at full speed, so it won't build up pressure as quick as normal.

Thanks for the good suggestions. I'll check em' out.

if it sits over night or all day, it's still good to go.