Car Struggles To Start

[Red96GT]

The car seemed like it was struggling to start for a few months. After turning the key it would fire and hang around 1000 rpms for a split second then jump up to 2000 like usual and slowly back the idle down. It got to the point where I would have to hold my foot on the gas after it started or the rpms would drop very fast and the car would just stall. The weird part is that if I held my foot on the gas for a minute or 2 it would eventually jump up to 2000 rpms like it should have from the beginning and slowly back the idle down. I could even rev it up to lets say 4k rpms and it would act fine but as soon as I let my foot off the gas it would stall.

I was thinking it wasn't getting fuel so I replaced the filter (original 38k miles) and that seemed to help but the car still seems to be struggling to start. The bypass from the intake to the throttle body is not blocked. I'm thinking it's a sensor as the more humid and longer the car has been sitting the harder it is to start. I don't think it's the fuel pump because it really smells strong of gas and I can here the pump working as I turn the key to the on position. Any ideas? Thanks guys I need to fix this P.O.S. before I go to college!

 

[xander0561]

Man That sucks, I was in the same situation last year before I went to school. except my car was just running like crap. turned out to be plug wires.

There is a list of things you can check for...

1. I would go and have the comp read even if there isn't a "check engine" light on. It still may be throwing a code. I would do this first.
2. Check the plugs and wires and coils.
3. Almost sounds like the timing could be off so I would put a timing light on it.
4. Check your EGR valve, it could be all gummed up with carbon... that could mess with your idle.
5. That damn IAC contoller has been the source of some head aches with my car, I would check that too. It could be totally gone and won't throw a code. "I Hate those things...lol"
6. And the obvious, like oil, fuel and vacume leaks.

I dunno man that's where you could start, you could do a compression test when your messing around with the plugs and see what's going on with that. But that is all I could think of.

Honestly if you had all your tools lined up that all would take you an hour. I hope you figure it out. :thumb:

 

[Willis_98GT]

+ 1 to the iac..

 

[Red96GT]

Ok so a lot of people I've talked to think it's the IAC sensor/valve. I think it is too but why does it do it only cause me problems on first startup, it always idles perfect after the initial start???