When cold, my 98 starts then dies. Starts right back up, sputters & then goes to a normal idle. Engine cuts out for about a quarter mile or so but never stalls & then operates normally. UG shows no codes, TPS is at 11.4 when it acts up, but then goes to 12.2 at a normal idle. Have cleaned the IVAC and the throttle body with no, effect, the fuel pressure is at 34 PSI with the key on be for cranking the motor and goes to about 38 PSI at idle. The only other possibly related issue after it acts up is a hesitation when pulling from a stop sign or red light if I step on the gas too hard, but it's not noticed if I pull away normally. The hesitation is not noticeable no matter how hard I step on the gas once I am moving.

 

These are exactly the symptoms I had two months ago and after all in the ignition system had been replaced she now refuses to start at all.

 

I was thinking something wasn't talking to the IVAC or the TPS when I first turned the key on, but your situation is scary.

 

This is similar to an issue I had with my truck, drove me nuts for a week! Check the crank sensor harness, it is a 2 wire harness covered by black corregated tubing that goes down the drivers side rear of the engine and connects to the crank sensor. I found that about an inch up from the crank sensor connector, the heat from the exhaust had caused about an inch of insulation to burn off each wire and they were able to short together and screw up the crankshaft sensor signal intermittently causing the engine to run like crap. I disconnected the harness at the sensor and pulled it up to the top of the motor where I could look closely at it and work on it. It was then that I could see what was going on. I re-insulated the wires from each other and it has been running great ever since! Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the info. Will check that out. Would have never thought of that creating a cold start issue.