starting issue
 

I have a 97 sl1, it has roughly 180k on the clock and recently ive been having a starting issue lately. first start of the day or if the car sits for a few hrs, attempt to start it it and it shuts off right away. the only way to keep it running is to stay on the throttle for about thirty seconds. has anyone else had this issue before or have an idea as to what would cause this problem?

read the sticky on ECTS. MAY be your problem, may not. If you've never changed it, I'd do so anyway as the original has likely failed.

Thank you, ill be stoping at the dealership tomorrow and hopefully coming home with a new ects. ill post if it worked or not.

I usually recommend changing the electrical connector for the ECTS at the same time. Brings the parts cost to about $45usd, but you might just get lucky with this one

In addition to the ECTS, when's the last time you tuned it and cleaned the throttle body?

Plugs,wires,and coil packs were replaced bout 6k ago

But what about a good throttle body cleaning? They do get nasty and need cleaning from time to time. I've got 200,000 miles on my old Dodge Grand Caravan and have cleaned the throttle body on it about every 20,000 miles or so.

I did a sea foam cleaning to it and that worked for a couple days then back to its old self. i did notice that inside the throttle body is pitted pretty bad though, maybe time for a new throttle body?

If the inside of the throttle body is pitted, you're not getting the proper mixture of gas and air. The bore needs to be smooth. Sounds like the wrong type cleaner has been used on it. You HAVE to get throttle body cleaner specifically nowadays. They have a coating inside that conventional carb cleaner will strip out and cause problems. Maybe it is time for another one.

Ects replaced ( $35 and some change from local dealership) and no change. on the lookout for a new/used throttle body now.