Engine starts and immediately stops in the.

JROHWER

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
130,000 MILES

Engine starts and immediately stops in the morning when exterior temperature is below 55 degrees F. This happens so fast, there is no time to try to give it a bit of gas. By mid-morning, about 60 degrees, it'll start immediately and run fine (literally can drive all over the metro area with no worries). I've checked fuel pressure, engine coolant temperature sensor, air temperature sensor (all are within specifications). Ignition coils were replaced, but that didn't solve the problem. This model does not have a mass air flow sensor. There are no OBD codes. Ignition switch and lock cylinder where replaced 3 months ago. Plugging in the engine block heater overnight does not help. Oil pressure pressure is between 60 and 70 psi at idle. Idle air motor appears to be working fine. Any ideas?

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Try cleaning the throttle plate on both sides with choke cleaner, they get gummy and cause a lot of idle problelms. Also clean teh iac hole if you have one you'll seeit. Also check cam and cranks sensors for resistance as well as connections.