This is an 89' non-turbo

The engine cranks and turns over fine. The car will run when the key is
in the "START" position only. When the key is released, the car
immediately dies. The car is throwing no codes. When it is running, the
car is burning oil but that might be a product of cold weather and
trying multiple times to start it. The car worked just fine yesterday. Any suggestions are helpful.

Thanks,
Megan

 

Wait, what? the car shouldn't run when the key is on the "start" position, it should just crank over. If you leave the key in the start position you should hear a nice grinding sound of the flywheel against the starter! So it starts, then immediately dies is what you are trying to say? Could be as simple as a vacuum leak, could be worse. If you haven't replaced all the 17 year old vacuum lines that are cracking all over the place I would get to it regardless.

 

yea that dosnt sound right...i cant even give you any prob causes. it should make a nasty grinding eating teeth of starter as of how ur stating it..more info

 

Well, I just went outside to try it again so that I could give a better description, and the car started. It burned off a bunch of oil and it smells bad...but it stays on. My husband has narrowed it down to a loose connection that we will be able to fix. Thanks for your input.