won't start after sitting in cold weather

200,000 MILES
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DESTINYWEST30
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  • 1 POST
1997 chrysler sebring lxi - flooded engine while trying to start car ran car out of gas so it sat a few days during winter snow storm after maybe 3 days without being driven i got gas in car from a gas can and trying to start it i think it got flooded or battery went dead but after sitting a few more days we replaced idle air control valve and charged battery but won't stay running
Jan 28, 2012 at 11:33 AM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 34,413 POSTS
You really need to take the time to put some punctuation in that huge sentence, otherwise it can be read at least three different ways.

As near as I can figure out, the engine runs now but I'm guessing only as long as you hold the gas pedal down 1/8". If that is correct, the idle speed will be too low because the battery went dead and the Engine Computer lost its memory. It has to relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when it has to be in control of idle speed. To do that relearn, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the pedals.
Jan 28, 2012 at 11:54 AM
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