I've got a 92 rs with the lo3, no aftermarket accessories.

I had the starter replaced last week as the car sounded rough as hell.

Every morning:

When I turn the key, the starter engages, the engine will catch, rev up to 500 (at the most), then sputter and die. The engine seems to run much better when the fuel lines (within the throttle-body) are disconnected. The only times that I have been able to get it started are when the fuel lines were unplugged.

I've taken it back to the shop 4 times now. Every time they tell me "It started fine..." BOGGLES THE MIND. It seems that if the car's sat inside the heated service bay for awhile there's no problem.

I'll attempt to start the car after it's warmed up, and it runs without it a hitch.

Any help is MUCH APPRECIATED. This is making me crazy.

Alternator was replaced 3 years ago, battery 1 year ago. The second-last starter lasted only 3 months.

 

I'm not sure if TBI has a cold start injector, but if they do it could be hanging open when its cold causing to flood. That would be why it will start with the lines unhooked. Just a guess.

 

Thanks for the head's up - I'm going to look into that right now.

Additional points - the engine idle varies from 600-1300 rpm (as reported on the tach). After sitting for 12 hours today, it took 3 attempts to start. Sluggish atttempts twice in a row, on the third I gave it a little gas immediately after turning the key. The engine caught, sputtered for 20 seconds, then started running rough. After a couple minutes, it smoothed out and sounded correctly, idling at 1100rpm.