car starts but cant move or it stalls, HELP!

[poet9]

i have a 1997 sportage. started having a problem with starting the car. it would turn no problem but you had to try it then wait a few minutes then try again and it would start. things started getting worse and it would take more trys to get it going. then i started having real problems starting it. i figured out if i put it in neutral and move it a little i could start it but as soon as i moved forward a little it would stall out. even if i leave it in neutral after starting it and push the car it will stall but if i leave the car where it started it will idle fine and sounds good. i was thinking the problem might be the timing belt but i'm just guessing. does anyone have any ideas?

[LMP]

Originally Posted by poet9

... even if i leave it in neutral after starting it and push the car it will stall but if i leave the car where it started it will idle fine and sounds good.

funny...but probably random...
...anyway, at least three possibilities should be investigated:

- 1: fuel supply: test pressure at fuel rail : should move around 45 psi and hold rather steady. +/- 10 psi should work anyway, but very low pressure indicate failed pump/regulator/badly clogged filter , this last one should not interfere on starting though. TEST PRESSURE before going for the pump...

-2: what mileage and if over 70,000 miles, does it have a new timing belt? Yes, a belt that has jumped 2 or 3 cogs would do exactly that, as I have experienced with several cars before...but not with my Sportage....yet.

-3: crank sensor: a commonly failed component, almost a standard maintenance item. Check for spark in the first place...although it is a little cumbrsome to go for that with this engine setup.

...well...two more ideas just surfaced: is the throttle cable OK?.....and a check of Idle Air VAlve, a common culprit: eventually clean it up www.geocities.com/lmp4203/kiasport/IAC.jpg