Hi Scott,
I'm no expert, but here's my view.
I think when this works, the engine must have been flooded.
When the fuse is out you prevent further flooding of the engine, and when you turn the key a few times it burns up the excess petrol. When you put back in the fuse, it gets it's normal amount of fuel and starts.
I think your fuel pump is probably ok, your just using the fuse as a switch to stop the petrol.
NODDY07
February 2007