Engine Starts with Inertia Switch popped

[Lee]

Howdy all, I'm having a tough time figuring out what's wrong with my Festiva ('92 GL Auto).
A couple nights ago the engine died just as I pulled into my driveway. The motor will turn, but it won't start. I've being working on diagnosing the problem. So far I've replaced the distributor cap and rotor (they were a bit worn), the plugs are new, and the ignition coil seems to be doing it's job. Fuel is getting to the chambers too, I could smell it and it was on the plugs as well.
After working on all that, the engine seemed close to starting, but seemed a little flooded. So, I unplugged the pump's interia switch and proceeded to turn it over again to clear out the fuel. With the interia switch unplugged the engine started and sputtered and I expected it to die, but it kept going (although, running super rough). After letting it go on for a little bit I shut it down and plugged the switch back in. But, with the inertia switch in the motor won't start at all. I gave the switch a wack to pop it and once again the engine starts, but if I deppress the switch, the engine won't start.
Does anyone have any ideas what could be going on here?

[ejp2fast]

just to clarify you are talking about the fuel shut-off inertia switch right next to the left rear strut under the speaker?

[Lee]

Yes, the switch with the red button that pops up.

[DrMaxwellEdison]

never known this to happen.....

[Safety Guy]

Just a WAG: could something in the switch be reversed? Did you mess with the switch or switch connector themselves?

Karl

[JoDan]

Too much fuel pressure??? Just a guess

[Pu241]

As has already been said this shouldn't be possible.
I suspect that the switch is either faulty or has been cut out of the circuit!
Reversing the connection would not cause this.
Do you have the option of swapping in a know good switch?

[Lee]

I didn't mess with the switch or connectors, I just unplugged initially to clear the fuel lines and discovered the issue. I don't think it's the switch itself, I swapped it out with a switch I got at the junkyard and had the same results (and the switch seems too simple to fail, even rarely).

I'm thinking the problem may be somewhere else in the fuel pump circuit. I'm going to try and pull a fuel pump relay from the junkyard tomorrow and swap that out.

[Lee]

So, I swapped out the fuel pump relay and amazing something new happened, kinda. With the inertia switch plugged in it turned over and started, then died right away. And with inertia switch popped it started up and stayed on, again. So, now that it started with a new relay (for a couple seconds), I suspect maybe the VAF or timing. I'm a bit of a novice so I hope I'm on the right track (at least to get it running again, I don't know if the mystery of the interia switch will ever be solved).

[Lee]

It's starting up without the switch unplugged now :]
I decided to check the VAF after installing the new fuel pump relay, and it seemed to be not the problem, I moved on from there to check the throttle and hoses. One of the hoses was a little clogged and the throttle seemed a little stiff. After a little cleaning I put it all back and the my festy turned over and started up!
I'm no closer to figuring out the inertia switch mystery, but I my ride is running so I'll let that go for now.
Eventhough responses for this thread were as stumped as me, I'm thankful for them anyhow 'cause they got me to look at the problem closer.
Thanks ya'll
~Lee