97, 4cyl, 5speed, 2wd

Just bought it yesterday, first truck too.

Well, I drove it around a bit today, just a few short drives, about a mile or so.

I get home and it sits there for a few minutes, and then I'm told to move it to make room for another car. So I go out there, and it wont start now.

The engine will crank, but it wont start. If I hold the accelerator down, it will start and run, but when I let off completely it will die.

Any idea's? It's about 13F outside, but it started just fine before. I've seen a lot mentioned about the IAC. What is this and where is it?

 

idle air control solenoid.. will be on the throttle body. better off replacing it, if that's the problem. check the condition of your spark plugs and the rest of the ignition system.

 

did you try holding the accelerator down for like 10-15 seconds then trying to let it idle?...

 

Yeah I did.

Another thing i've noticed is that sometimes in 1st and 2nd gear, weather I was accelerating or not, it would randomly start being really sluggish and slow down. It never died though.


Could this be linked to a bad oxygen sensor? It has high miles and used a quarter tank to go 35 miles. :/

 

could be a combination of many things, run seafoam through the engine, search the forums, plenty of info on how to do it. and then do a full tune up - plugs wires cap, and rotor. and clean the throttle body.

 

ya now im starting to think it could be the IAC....but it also might be the MAF...

 

Hm, I went out there again today, and it started right up, but there was a rough idle.

Actually it was rough all around. I could hold the accelerator down a bit, in one position, and the rpms would fluctuate: it would be normal, but die down sometimes, then come back.

I'll look into those suggestions, thanks everyone.

Any other ideas would be great too.

 

hmmmm the bog sounds like it could be a clogged cat.

 

Check fuel pressure first....

 

i had the same issue with mine, juss changed the plugs and all is fine now.