sometimes runs, sometimes doesn't!

OK for those of you that don't know i have a 1997 eagle talon tsi AWD and i just cant seem to get it to run right. sometimes the car would start up fine idle nice and drive like nothing is wrong with it, or the car wont start at all. I'll drive it around the neighborhood for about 10 minutes with no issues park it then go to start it again a few minutes later and the car will not start, or the car will start and struggle to stay running even when giving gas. When the cars running rough it will idle at about 200-300 RPM's and wont rev pas 2500-3000 RPM's and will somewhat backfire. If someone could possibly help me out that would be greatly appreciated as the car is beginning to really stress me out. Thanks

I think I would try another ECU, the second part sounds like when my ecu was bad.

I would start at the battery, make sure it's in good shape and all the wires & connections are clean.

Check the coolant temp sensor and its wiring. If that's bad or intermittent, you won't always get the right fuel.

Next would be the computer (ECU) and the ignition & fuel system components.

Check the wiring / connection at the mass airflow sensor (intake) and also at the ECU. Could be hacked up if the car was previously modified.

alright thanks a lot for the info I really appreciate it! I will check all that out as soon as i get a chance, as for the ECU is there a way to check if its good or not? because i have pictures and videos of the car if that would help
http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx215/zdunic17/

Sometimes you can tell just by looking at the ECU that it is bad, leaky caps and such. For others it's not as obvious, best to just find someone in the area and see if you can borrow their ECU to test it out.

Check your ground cable that usually bolts in at the top of the tranny, where the tranny bolts against the motor. That's often forgotten, yet, it provides the major ground for the motor itself.

Changed the coolant temp sensor, checked the wiring and the ground on top of the tranny everything seems to be fine from what I can see and still no luck. Havent been able to start the car at all now in over 2 days, im probably gonna buy a new MAF sensor and a new ECU since i don't know anyone in the area i can ask to borrow their ECU. In this situation would you guys recommended getting a eprom or just a stock ECU? once again thank you guy's for the advice!

Can you describe the "no start" in more detail? Does it turn over but not catch? Does it click under the hood but not turn over? Does it click in the car but not under the hood? Is it completely silent?

Each of those mean a different thing could be wrong!

The car will crank over but will not catch or sound like its going to start. Before it would crank over start for about a second then stallor it would idle rough and not rev past 2500-3000rpm's under full throttle.

Possibility of bad ignition? Weak/no spark on one or two cylinders not firing and mixture being pumped into exhaust (backfire)? You can check spark by carefully carefully taking out a spark plug and holding the threads of the spark plug against a known good ground (DO NOT use the battery post as your ground for this test) on the car while somebody turns it over. You'll be able to see the spark even in good light it will show up. DO NOT touch the ceramic body of the plug, hold it by the boot or else you'll have the fun of 50k volts to deal with

From what I could see of the ECU, it looked fine. What you want to look at closely is the top and bottoms of the caps. If they are bulging any, you might want to get somebody to replace them for you.

You should check your basics first( fuel pressure, spark) if you don't have a check engine light on. if you have a check engine light on you should pull your codes. make sure your timing is right and your belt didn't jump.

I see your low fuel light on and some other light to the left probably ebrake but i didn't see your check engine or mil light on at all it should come as you first turn on the key(does it?) cause if it dosn't that means most probably a an ECM failure.

Definitely check that coolant temp sensor, that was my issue when I had a no start issue.

That and I had a CAS problem too. 2 different cars

Check for disconnected/open intake pipes. Sounds like your air/fuel way of the chart. Backfire/black smoke usually mean a lot of unburned fuel.

Also, after so many start attempts u probably have a lot of fuel in your oil. If true you should be able to smell it easy.

Should also check for fuel isues. Is your pump stock or rewired walbro or some eBay crap? Check the wiring and fuses on that. Crank the car then pull a spark plug; u should be able to smell fuel there easily.

Don't spend big $$$ replacing everything that comes to mind. Sollution can be simple