corroded battery cables could be the problem. its like cancer-keeps working its way down the cable, once the resistance of the cable is high enough it becomes very difficult, if not impossible to start. . i see that alot at work. as for the bad idle and the sucking noise--sounds like a vaccum leak. check all vaccume lines and ensure that they are connected and not cracked or broken. also a clogged/partially clogged idle air control valve passage would make the idle surge (rev up and down) remove the IAC and inspecet passage