Thanks for your reply.I will consider and check the things you have said.I guess what throws me is that if the tpi or cpk have failed or are intermittent then i would see driveability problems at other times.I am trying starting the car with throttle slightly depressed and it fires without problems although today it tried to die once but since i had the throttle open in cleared up quickly .I know it should start without touching the throttle as designed.Let me know if you have any other ideasand is the loss of tachometer any clue? terry