Starting problem & parts on floor....

It was -18C this morning and we pushed the command start and nothing happened.
So we tried the key and it only clicked.
We came in to call for boost thinking maybe the battery was dead and then tried again.
This time it would start but would only run as long as we kept one foot on the gas or else it would stall.
After a few go rounds with that it magically stayed running.

Then we noticed a piece on the floor which looked (apologies- bad paint) something like this.
It seems to be a switch or fuse and I have no idea how it is related or IF it is related to the problem. Not sure where it came from and can't see any place it would plug in but it seems to have fuse-like prongs on the underside and 2 black boxes on the other with some nonlegible writing on them. It's about 2 " long and 1" wide.

SO firstly, any thoughts on the starting problem and secondly- anyone know or half-recognize what this piece is?

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/3585/somoething0dz.png

It was -18C this morning and we pushed the command start and nothing happened.
So we tried the key and it only clicked.
We came in to call for boost thinking maybe the battery was dead and then tried again.
This time it would start but would only run as long as we kept one foot on the gas or else it would stall.
After a few go rounds with that it magically stayed running.

Then we noticed a piece on the floor which looked (apologies- bad paint) something like this.
It seems to be a switch or fuse and I have no idea how it is related or IF it is related to the problem. Not sure where it came from and can't see any place it would plug in but it seems to have fuse-like prongs on the underside and 2 black boxes on the other with some nonlegible writing on them. It's about 2 " long and 1" wide.

SO firstly, any thoughts on the starting problem and secondly- anyone know or half-recognize what this piece is?

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/3585/somoething0dz.png

What year and engine?
Have your battery "load tested". It could have an internal problem that will keep it from providing full voltage. Also might have the charging system checked. I had a battery on my Ford once that I could hit with a screwdriver and the engine would shut off. The cables, etc were perfect but the battery had internal short or loose plate.
As far as the doo-dad that you posted the pic of...could that be your flasher control module for the turn signals and hazard flashers?

Um.... I don't know all that stuff. I just liked the color ;)
It doesn't belong to me but a very good friend.
After that day it wasn't replicated. The vehicle has started without a problem since.
We began to think maybe it was the remote starter, but then why wouldn't the vehicle keep idling once it was started.
Perhaps like you said the battery cables were not quite connecting and that will be the very first thing I will suggest should it happen again.
As to the flasher control module, that is a possibility, but it would have to be an old used one that fell out of somewhere maybe as those things still work.
Thanks so much for your suggestions!

I have had this same problem on my 2001. It would not startup unless I was stepping on the gas, and once it started, it would not idle. I found two threads here that pointed to the Throttle Position Sensor. You probably need to replace it. (About 38.00) However, there is a workaround that may get you through awhile. Simply disconnect the battery for a minute or two. This seems to reset the on board computer. Once I did this it started right up and ran fine. This was about two months ago. So far so good. Still have not replaced the sensor though.

Good Luck.