Not wanting to start cold, then high rev and now low to no gas

[8790gfbGMC]

So I had an issue with cold starts. I did use a little starter fluid, and it would crank. Then one morning, it had been super cold for a high desert morning, I think 27°it didn't start at all, not even with starting fluid. So I tried to diagnose what it was. Thought it was the fuel pump relay /fuel pump. Tried checking the OBD1 to see if it could tell me anything, but it showed nothing. Then I got it going, and it revved high as soon as I started it. Did some more YouTube research and saw it could be the IAC procedure idle reset. And now it feels like it's super starved. Any tips to do the reset correctly?
Lastly, what issue would y'all think of if, at slow speeds, it sounded like it had a cam and/or like low-fuel sound, then when I'd give it a go, it would be fine, and I'd drive on? It's never stalled and does fine with the AC on. Any guesses?
Thanks
Gilbert

 

[YakkoWarner]

The IAC reset is pretty easy, it more or less happens any time you jump the pins to make the SES light flash out the codes. While the codes are flashing out the IAC goes to full closed position. Before you turn the key off, disconnect the IAC connector at the throttle body so it stays fully closed (normally when you turn the key off the computer opens it again). Once you do that, then you can start up and adjust the base idle screw - the base idle should be set to around 200-250 less than the ECUs target idle (I did mine to around 500). Then when you reconnect the IAC the computer should be able to control the idle correctly again. To really do it properly you also need to readjust the TPS sensor so it reports 0.5V to the ECU when the throttle butterflys are closed. Having a data cable that lets you read the sensors in near-realtime is helpful especially for the TPS setting.

Having said all that, I'm not sure that will help in your situation. Starved for fuel could be filter or fuel pump (the filter is easiest to check). Vacuum leak could explain the high rev once started, but would probably be more consistant. Low fuel pressure gauge could make it run starved, but that would also make it starve out while driving too. The pressure regulator is integral to the throttle body.

I had sort-of similar issues except mine would go real lean while driving, I ended up just putting a rebuilt throttle body on because everything else checked out and I knew my throttle plate shaft bushings were shot so it needed to be done anyway. Only had it out a couple times since then (did that last month) but it has not had the same issue since.