throwing codes and car won't start most of the time...
 

Alright, my car has been sitting for about a week now because the IAC valve sensor became disconnected so I had to solder the wires back today (when I unplugged it, the car would immediately die. is this normal?). Anyway, I finally got my car running after using some starter fluid and took it for a test drive. Well, now when I'm driving I throw a CEL code 6 (Engine Coolant Temp sensor) and the car seems to run funny, although that could be my imagination. And when I shut my car off after getting it running, now it won't start up again. It just cranks like it wants to start up but won't. Please help.

It's not uncommon for the engine to stall out when the IACV is disconnected. As far as the engine coolant temperature sensor goes, it could be deteriorated. Also there could be a problem with the thermostat, cooling system or ECU instead.

what could be the reason why my car isn't starting up though? I'm pretty sure I'm getting spark and fuel and air...so I really don't know what's up.

It could be a lot of things.

Fuel Pressure
Compression
Starting system
Ignition system (which you checked for spark)
PGM-FI relay
Battery
ECU

Do you know anyone who could loan you a spare OBDI GSR ECU? Substituting
a known good ECU would help eliminate it as a possible cause.

i just went out there and the car started up but it was running really rough. could miswiring the IACV be causing all this? i know one of the wires goes to the PGM-FI relay and the other one goes to the ECU. Maybe the two wires are mixed up? Thanks...

how long has it been sitting for and how much gas is in it? If it'll start with starter fluid but not without that might say you have some crappy fuel in there. . probably not but just a suggestion.

The car's only been sitting for a little over a week. And I always use 93 octane Shell V-power...

I have another "stock" (supposedly) ECU that I got off ebay a while back. I guess I could swap that in and see what happens. I just wish it weren't snowing right now. Definitely doesn't make things any easier...

Triple check your wiring.

It's kind of hard to check the wiring besides using trial and error I guess. A lot of the wiring and sensors on the car have been cut and reconnected before, by the previous owner. The wiring running from the IACV isn't the original wire so that makes it kinda hard to match it up...Think msmatching the wires could be causing all this trouble?