starting problem

[joshuaj0214]

I have a 98 sport (4.0 SOHC) and when it sits for a while, it will not start and idle. Its not thowing a check engine light so a scanner is not telling me anything. When I hit the key I have to give it gas or it will die out. Even if I hold it at part throttle for a minute it will still die. I have to take it up around 4 grand and back off slowly to get it to idle, then it runs fine. It started only happening once every 5 or 6 months, now it does it when I leave for work and after I let it sit all day at work. Once its running I can shut it off and it starts right back up with no problem. By the way its an automatic. Thanks for any ideas!:roll:

 

[trj360]

mine does the same thing, but about once a week. it has done that since i got it a year ago and has not gotten any worse, and personally it's not a big deal to me. my dad took it out for a drive, starting it up and stuff and said it could be the idle air control valve.

 

[joshuaj0214]

its not a big deal to me, I just don't like the fact of revving a cold engine to 4 grand. Any other guesses anyone?

 

[joshuaj0214]

any takers?

 

[les_h19061]

i would suggest cleaning the idle air control valve with some throttle body cleaner being sure to work the shaft of the control vavle motor back and foth a couple times also .there is a small felt filter under the round cao on the side of the control valve that also should be cleaned . this round cap just pulls right off . while you are at it you may want to clean your mass air flow sensor very gently being carefull not to break the wire sensors as they are very sensitive . while u are there check the wire connector plugs - make sure they are clean . These are two no cost things u may try .The next thing i would try would be the throttle position sensor - u may try cleaning it but it is hard to get the cleaner inside the sensor switch -turn it upside down and fill it up with the cleaner and use a wide screw driver to rotate the switch a few times put it back together and see if it helps if it does i suggest replaceing it for about $25 at pep boys

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the fuel pressure, fuel filter, and the ECT sensor.

 

[Turdle]

This is a classic symptom of bad intake manifold gaskets--

 

[joshuaj0214]

thanks for the replies. the fuel pressure is good and the filter is new, but I am going to try the other things. A friend of mine has the same truck and had a very similar problem. his did turn out to be intake gaskets. I guess I just din't want it to be the intake, so much for that!!! Thanks again!:roll: