what the hell happened?

ok, I went out to my car... went to start her up, and get it warmed up to go get some breakfast... turned the key, it churned for a while like it normally does on a cold cold day.. and finally ignition.... but the idle is funky droping to 500rpms and very rough... so I turn off the car, and let it sit for a few seconds and try again.. turn the key, and it starts, but with the same low idle, and then it just dies... wtf happened? it's only 20 degree's out.. only thing I can think of is the ignition system is fucked, or I have water in the fuel line. i already have the rotor, cap, and new spark plugs (have'nt installed them yet).. I'm going to wait a bit and see if it gets warmer, and try it again. the car was working perfectly last night..

I'm not the best troubleshooting guy, but I'd check the spark plugs. I had a similar thing happen to me. The car was fine and then when it first started dropping in temp here; the car just wouldn't start but when it did it was idling between 400-600 rpms. I checked the plugs and they were completely beat. Changed them out and the car runs like a champ. So I'd check the plugs just for the hell of it, just to make sure it's not something easy like that.

^^^ i agree with that as well.. Although, were you messin under the hood at all cause there is a vaccum line on the throttle body that controls the RPM level at first start.. You need that on, especially on cold days when the egine doesn't want to run.. If its not that, it could be possible for a new fuel filter.. Obviously the filter filters water out of the gas as well as other crap, and on cold days, that little filter could have ice built up in it, that can not be feeding it enough gas.. IN this case, just let the car run while you feed it some throttle, it should warm up. These are just a few, could be many more reasons why

nope I have'nt touched anything under the hood since my last oil change about 4 weeks ago.. 10w30 mobil 1 synthetic... going to change out the parts that I have right now.. also been wondering since it cranked for such a long time without igniting that the engine is possibly flooded..