When I start my car, it will sputter and run really badly. Then, I'll shut it off and start it again and it will fire right up and run perfectly. The strange part is that it never does this when the engine's still warm, only when it's cold. And it only happens intermittently. Most of the time, I'll be able to start it cold and everything will be fine. When this happens, I'll get a SES light, but when I scan it, I don't get any codes. The way it runs when it runs poorly is similar to the way it ran when I had code 33 and 34 problems a few months ago. Because of that ordeal, it has a new MAF, burn off and power relays, and a new MAF pigtail. So I don't think any of those parts would have failed yet, but I don't know.

I really have no idea what's causing this one...

 

The only thing that comes to mind is TPI's have a cold start loop - something may be sticking in the MAF causing it to not get enough air when cold and then opening up when it gets a little warm with the second start. I'm no expert but that is where I would look first.

 

Is there any way I can check for that short of buying another MAF?

 

After looking in Chilton's (I can't find my service manual) - the cold start loop has nothing to do with the MAF - it is a valve that is part of the fuel rail system and apparently needs periodic cleaning - something I have never done. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

Does it ever clear up on its own, or do you have to restart it to correct the issue?

 

It has to be restarted to correct the problem.

 

try cleaning and resetting the iac.sounds like its not closing on first start (may be sticking ,then second start closes it )doesnt take a lot for one to stick,later jimmy