Ok, I'm getting discombobulated trying to keep up with who asked what
Maybe I should put down the tools, back away & go get a bus pass lol
Anyway, as far as the brand of plugs/wires that were in it when I got it, I'll have to check
I started trying to change the others today
When I pulled the boot off the 1st one, the metal piece stayed on the plug
Then I snapped the plug in 1/2
So it'* not exactly smooth sailing but I'll manage to muddle through

P0172 is telling you the engine is getting too much fuel (running rich). Did you try dis connecting the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose and check for fuel (running and not running) there is a diaphram in side that ruptures, was common. The psi regulator is on the end of the left (front) fuel rail. vacuum hose by the maf sensor. Can also try to disconnect the evap line from the engine and plug the engine side to see if fuel is coming in from the evap system. If you can get to a scan tool data would be helpful. could be a skewed sensor (example: oxygen sensor fixed rich causing the engine to run lean). Hope this is helpful.

Sorry. This thread has gotten so convoluted I don't know what you are chasing. I hope it'* not your own tail.

Same thing as it started with
The P0172 code
And, as usual, my own tail just a little

Okay, some of that (most) is over my head but I'll go thru my manual and Google it if I have to
I do have a code reader that shows live data but I don't know what readings to look for
And to top things off, when I started it this morning, it died almost immediately
I didn't try giving it gas to see if it would stay started like it did before
And I didn't try a 2nd time
I needed to walk away out of frustration

Try this:

Instead of clicking [Reply] or [Quick Reply] click [Quote] instead, circled in red below:





. . . then you will have the stuff you're answering right there in your message box, just type at the bottom:





. . . then click [Submit Reply] at the bottom:





Now you have an easy time answering stuff, we have an easy time knowing what you're answering, and CathedralCub gets to further his quest to see how many bytes of text will fit in this forum before it bursts at the seams muahahahahaha!

Just kidding on that last part.

Maybe.

Ok, is the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose & psi regulator the same thing?
Plug the engine side with what?
Can I just stuff a rag in that side or...??
In my Haynes book, it shows a Fuel Pressure Regulator (which, I assume has a hose going to it) in the component diagram for a 3.3 6cyl engine
But the diagram for my car (3.1) doesn't list a fuel pressure regulator
There is a Fuel Pressure Connector though
Before I even start messing with anything fuel related, shouldn't I relieve pressure from the system ?
Everything I've read says to relieve pressure, you have to pull the Fuel Pump relay/fuse that is located in the engine compartment
But aside from the relays right behind the right headlight, I don't see any relays/fuses under the hood
I do have a code reader but it'* nothing fancy
The only code it gave was the P0172
It didn't get any more specific than that
I hate to admit it but I think I've bitten off more than I can chew
I swear, all you guys that LIKE working on cars are out of your ever lovin minds!!
But I'm SO glad ya'll exist!!

If you look at the freeze frame it will show if engine is idling at time code was set.
Is the TB clean?

I know my reader has live data but I'm not sure it has freeze frame
I'll have to look
But, as I mentioned, I accidentally erased the code
If I can find freeze frame, will it show info on cleared codes?
And I can't see the TB well because of the mesh screen in front of it
From what I can see tho, it looks surprisingly clean
And I did spray maf cleaner through the screen but couldn't tell if it did any good
Is there a way to remove the screen?

I found a hose that was cracked at the very end so I cut the end off, put it back on and voila....it started
AND, didn't die
The idle is still a little erratic but not anywhere near as bad as it was
Does that mean the cracked hose wasn't the only problem?
Or does it take some time for the air/fuel ratio to adjust correctly?
I'm going to test drive it now ...cross your fingers