Hello all. My brother has a 2001 SE that won't run. I ran across this site when he was having problem with the window regulators and it was a great help so I thought I'd post up in hopes of figuring this problem out.

The CEL has been on for a little while prior to this problem but we figured it was because of the OP sensor (OP stays pinned at 0 and we haven't got around to replacing it again yet). The problem he'* having now is when we try to start it, it fires up then quits running right away. We tried resetting the computer (disconnected battery for a while) and replacing the o2 sensor and it still won't stay running unless you stay on the gas after it fires up. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

The CEL shouldn't be OP related.

The car starts and runs 2-4 seconds and dies right? What does the security light do ?

Thanks, I'll check that later and let you know.

Have you checked the fuel pressure? Do you hear the pump run for a few seconds when you first turn the ignition to on? There are a few things that could cause your problem.

First is low fuel pressure, although if it was that low, you'd think it wouldn't start at all.

Second is the oil pressure sender. If the oil pressure does not come up, I believe that the PCM will shut off the fuel pump to keep from doing damage to the engine. Check to see if the fuel pressure drops after starting.

Third is the mass air flow sensor. That is a relatively expensive part, so you likely wouldn't want to change that without being fairly certain it is the problem.

hmm, if it says on if you stay on the gas manually....hmm. malfunctioning IAC? when it goes to shut off, does it try to catch? or is it just cut and dry DEAD?

How long exactly can you keep it running if you keep your foot on the accelerator?

MAF would make sense if its stalling/sputtering, but cut out dead doesn't sound right.

No, it doesn't sound like it'* trying to catch, it just stops as if you turned the ignition of in drive or something. When we stay on the gas it sounds good - no sputtering or anything that I notice and it runs until we let off the gas. As fars as the OP sensor - he'* been driving with it messed up for a couple months now and never had any problems prior to this - just the annoying dinging it makes every few seconds. What is an IAC? I didn't notice the fuel pump noise when I turned it on but if it was a fuel pressure problem I would think it wouldn't work when holding the gas either. Thanks for the suggestions - I'm going to check the security light next time I'm there and listen for the fuel pump to kick on.

If the car is running that well with higher RPMs, then the fuel pump is working okay, at least at that level. IAC is the idle air control valve. The throttle position sensor is also a possibility. Get the code read, and let'* find out for sure what has set it off.

My 98 gtp did the same thing. I had a quarter tank of fuel and dumped in a $6-7 dollar bottle of stp complete fuel system cleaner. It all went away after around thirty miles or so with it being super concentrated.