so in the last 2 weeks iv changed the battery, plugs, wires, cap, rotor ,and fuel filter and it will crank and almost start but when u let the key go it dies any help would be appreciated

 

VATS maybe? Since your car has it might be it.

 

Check your fuel, if it has sat for a long time it could be bad enough that it wont run. Also if you have a pin hole leak (could even be inside the fuel tank in the pick up line) that could bleed off just enough pressure to prevent the injector from firing correctly. The injectors themselves could be bad and casing the problems, check both the injectors and the wiring to them. You may also want to look over your wires to your coil. There is a chance that it is ECM related as well.

 

It sounds like the gas is probably bad (does it still smell like gas?), your timing could be retarded too far too, that'd cause it. It won't be the VATS if your key is turning and the engine is cranking. When was the last time it ran?

 

i dont think its my gas cause right before it broke down i filled it up go figure but i was jus talking to a friend of mine and they said check the idle air control do u think that could be the problem

 

Could be the IAC.

 

So how old is the fuel then? Does the car actually start and then just die right away? If that's the case and you can keep it going by giving it gas then yes it could be the idle air control. If it doesn't start in the first place thats not the problem.

 

its about 2 or 3 weeks old now but i jus changed the fuel filter today and the fuel is good but when i crank it it sounds like it wants to start but after letting go of the key it shuts down

 

Does it sound like its cranking at the normal speed or is it sluggish?

 

Well then it's definitely not the gas. It was running 3 weeks ago right? What happened between when it was running and when the problem first occurred? Were you working on anything?

 

ya and i wasnt working on it but at first it was starting fine but when u put it in drive to go u would give it gas and it would get to about 2000 rpm or 20 mph and would die but about a week after that happened it wouldnt even do that it would jus crank

 

Mine gave me a similar response when my distributor turned and the timing went off.

 

Yes, check your timing.

 

iight ill check that but what should the timing be and how can i change it

 

10° and you will need a distributor wrench (15mm if I'm remembering correctly) and just barely loosen the bolt on the distributor clamp and turn the top of the distributor either clockwise or counter clockwise until you get there and tighten it down again. Oh and make sure you disconnect the tan wire with black stripe first, it breaks out of the main harness with a connector back between the strut tower and the fan in the back of the engine bay.

 

thanks im jus gonna take it to a shop get it fixed and sell it