So, this only happens on a cold start. I start the car and it revs to about 2k or so, then starts to come down, then immediately just dies. I then start it again and it is good...doesn't die again. What in the world would cause this?

Now, I am still getting some backfiring under lighter acceleration under 3k The idle is hunting and after it is warmed up, it will be more willing to idle around 1000, but until then it is between 1000 and 1500...

Remember, I just found my map was bad and replaced it. I also just put brand new plugs in as well which did make for a smoother acceleration. I am mainly concerned with it dying EVERY first cold start and still backfiring quite a bit under light accel. I will check the tps voltages AGAIN, but they were fine...

Could a bad coolant temp sensor cause this? My old plugs I just pulled were BLACK and a little moist. I believe a bad coolant temp sensor will flood the motor...thoughts?

 

Check the AFM, that is what was doing the first cold start dying thing for me.

 

3rd gens don't have AFM's they have map (barometric) sensors.

 

Dem I have exactly the same problem but what I do is start it and when at idles at 2000rpm for milliseconds I rev it a little and it prevents it from dying. I to want to fix this problem I just got a different map sensor that I will install tomorrow and hopefully this fix’s my problem but then again it didn’t fix it for you mmmmm. Help us guys