Thanks craby, but I know now that its not VATS because I got it started. I'm not out of the woods yet, though.

It is the most bizarre thing. After about 24 hours of trying various small things at work (and trying to start it probably 10 times to no avail), the battery finally wouldn't turn over the starter anymore. Then, right before I got it on my friend's 35 foot flatbed, I gave it one last shot and.....it started!! But only for about 5 seconds. At least I knew that it wasn't a spark problem, and it was probably a fuel problem.

So I got it home and charged the battery, then sprayed some starter fluid in the intake. It started, but here's the thing: It ran and ran and ran. It ran for 20 minutes and didn't die. So I shut down the car and put the intake hoses back on and started it again. It started, but it didn't really want to. It started to run smoothly after about 15 seconds.

So check this out. Next, I find out that my battery is over 5 years old. I know what you are thinking....but you have to remember that the car was turning over like a monster, just not starting (when the problem first appeared). If the battery has enough juice to turn over the starter (strongly) for over five seconds 10 or so times, shouldn't it have enough juice to provide spark?

I dunno....I'm going to replace the battery but I don't know how it could possibly be the problem. But I have to because the only thing I did to get the car running was charge the battery!

What a trip.

 

a failing vats system will have a mind of its own sometimes. a failing ignition module can do what you are experiancing, fuel pump losin it and a opit goin south can also.

 

Thanks again, crabby. I'm going to be changing the oil after I change the battery today, and I will take a look at the bottom of the opti and check for anything wierd like coolant or oil leaking onto it. Luckily I was able to borrow another vehicle for a week or so, so I can troubleshoot this slowly and not shell out $800 to the dealer.

I started it again this morning, and the best way to describe it is that it barely starts (when I say barely, I mean that it cranks over just fine but the engine doesn't "catch" easily), but then after about 5-10 seconds it comes up to speed and runs perfectly.

Thanks again for the advice, and I will keep you posted.