PLEASE HELP!!!! I have a problem

[Johnnybravo382]

One of my friends used to have a 96 GT like mine and he had this happen to him twice and told me what the part is, but I forgot what he said, and don't know a whole lot about engine electronics and stuff like that....anyways, my car does this thing where, when the engine is cold and I go to start it, it doesn't want to stay started. I have to hold the gas until the engine gets really hot, which usually takes about 15 minutes. But when the engine gets good and hot, it runs fine, it just won't run when its cold. Is it some type of throttle sensor or something? Like I said, I don't remember what my friend told me he had to replace, but for some reason, throttle sensor rings a bell. If anyone knows of this problem with the early 4.6's and what part I need to fix it, please help, b/c I can't keep waiting 15-20 minutes to go somewhere if my engine is cold. Thank you.
Jonathan

 

[Dark Knight GT]

When you say throttle sensor, the first thing that comes to mind is the TPS, aka, "Throttle position sensor". However, from the symptoms I'm hearing, that doesn't sound like its the problem. It sounds to me more like a contamination or carbon problem. My brother has the same problem every now and then. Its usually contamination of the fuel and fuel system. Some good fuel cleaner should help to clear this up. Another thing you might want to consider is changing the fuel filter if its been a while since its last been changed. Another thing it could be is the IAC(idle air control sensor). It could be dirty and need cleaned as well.