Engine at Startup

I have a 02 GT 3.8L with 76k on it. If the car sits for a few hours or overnight it always starts and stays running. It seems if I drive it somewhere and shut if off for a few minutes is when the problem occurs. It starts up and dies immediately. Then I start up again and it runs fine.

Service engine soon light on? If so what codes are stored. If not, it's most likely a MAF going bad or a carboned up IAC motor that aren't quite out of spec enough to trip the SES light.

There are no lights on right now. I cleaned the MAF sensor but that did not change the issue. Are there any tests I could run the check the MAF or IAC?

you can try unplugging the MAF (make sure you unplug it with the key off) and drive it that way to see if the problem goes away. If it does, then the MAF is bad and cleaning will do no good. On the IAC, you'll just have to unbolt it from the t/body to see if it's carboned up.

That sounds a little like when my crank sensor went kaput although not exact symptoms. It could also be related to a coolant temp sensor which is not planning the proper "overfuel" to start reliably although I'd think the reverse would be true of hot and cold starts.

It could also be fuel related. If I run the tank down below 1/4 and then refuel I have to open the throttle otherwise it stalls on the first restart. 1/4 tank or more and it starts perfectly with no intervention other than the key.

It has been awhile since I could check all this out. I unplugged my MAF sensor and syptoms did not chance. The IAC was a little dirty but too bad. There are no codes right now in the computer. Is there anything else I can look at or try?