I was going to get some food, and decided to take the e21. Car started up fine, but the driver's side headlight didn't come on. Turning the highbeams on would get all four headlights to light up, so it wasn't the light itself. I turned the lights off then turned them back on and then the engine cutoff. Played with the fuses a little, started the car back up, and the headlight worked. Drove to pick up some food, but when I tried to start it back up again it wouldn't. The starter is getting juice and cranking away, but as soon as the engine sounds like it's coming to life it sputters and dies. Ended up getting the car towed.

So who has ideas as to what's wrong with the car?

you need to confirm spark and sufficient fuel pressure first.....good luck

check the fuel pump fuse, first one down from the left, sometimes they look good,but don't make good contact. As for your headlights, the outer most are dual filament, so the 4 will light up on high beam, but the low filament is burned, you need a new light (they are sealed, cheap ).
I had the same problem, the car will crank but there is no fuel getting to the engine. Check the fuses first.

check the fuel pump fuse, first one down from the left, sometimes they look good,but don't make good contact. As for your headlights, the outer most are dual filament, so the 4 will light up on high beam, but the low filament is burned, you need a new light (they are sealed, cheap ).
I had the same problem, the car will crank but there is no fuel getting to the engine. Check the fuses first. I just went out and fiddled with the fuel pump fuse, and it started right up. Ran for about 5 seconds then died. Started it again and gave it some gas and it kept running, but as soon as I let off the gas it went to idle for a couple seconds then sputtered out. Tried a couple more times but it wouldn't start again. I'll have to get a meter on the fuse tomorrow when it's light out.

The funny thing about the headlight is at first it didn't come on except for the highbeam, but afterwards the lowbeam filament did come on. So the filament is fine, but the problem was elsewhere.

How much gas you have in your Tank? If your low that might be a problem. i had the same problem this morning with my car because it was low on gas. If yours is an m20 then it could be the ICV. From your description it is a fuel problem because it starts right up and then dies. It could be a dirty Fuel Filter, or if that stuff doesnt work try to fill up your tank.

does your fuel pump huumm for a couple of seconds when you turn your key to the 'on' position AFTER a start attempt?

How much gas you have in your Tank? If your low that might be a problem. i had the same problem this morning with my car because it was low on gas. If yours is an m20 then it could be the ICV. From your description it is a fuel problem because it starts right up and then dies. It could be a dirty Fuel Filter, or if that stuff doesnt work try to fill up your tank. According to the fuel guage I have over half a tank. Who knows if the thing works though.

does your fuel pump huumm for a couple of seconds when you turn your key to the 'on' position AFTER a start attempt? Not that I remember. What would it mean if it did?

Not that I remember. What would it mean if it did?

it means your fuel pump is working

Update: I haven't had time to work on the car until now. The car was parked on the street, so me and a roommate pushed the car into my garage. My driveway is downhill, so I popped the clutch while I had a little bit of speed going and the car started right up. Ran fine. Got the car in the garage, stopped the engine, waited a few minutes, then started it up again. Ran fine again. Any ideas? My best guess is something electrical that got jolted into working when I push started the car.