Will idle but when ingage clutch and give it gas it spits and sputters and dies?

Cud also b transmission issue or torque converter

Mass air flow sensor maybe drity or going bad . Ever had it replaced ? Have you replaced the air filter lately ? Video's on youtube showing how to clean mass air flow sensor , you would have to buy a can of mass air flow sensor cleaner . Also while your at it clean the throttle plate , again there are videos on youtube . How did you check fuel pump ? To do it right you would need to hook up a pressure gauge . Also check flow .Videos on youtube .Has the check engine light come on ? Also you mite try some fuel injector cleaner and or dry gas for moisture in the fuel !

idle air control valve probably not working to supply enough air for idle speed during start up

Best guess is O2 sensor is reading too much unburned fue in the exhaust for some reason and leaning out the fuel flow to compensate. Runs when you throw more throttle at it but leans out as you try to hold steady speed. Should throw a code though.

it sounds like the mass air flow metering sensor thats in the air intake pipe ,but any more than that iam at a loss as none of these cars here in spain so i cannot tell you exactly where to look

No Mass air flow. Have you checked your Fuel pressure? 11-13 psi

computer test get codes, try cleaning the throttle body, could have bad mass air flow sensor

crank sensor will fix it

I suspect you have an idle circuit issue. When the thottle is closed, the throttle valve is almost closed (like 95%). The linkage on the throttle body is against the hard stop.
SO, when idling you need a way to let enough air into the engine to maintain an idle speed. The IAC, Idle Air Control valve is the way you do that and the engine computer controls the rate of air flow.
Sometimes it gets plugged up so you can clean it with a little carb cleaner. Might have to take it apart.
Also, you have a MAF, Mass Air Flow sensor that tells the computer how much air is flowing through the air cleaner intake at any time. The sensor gets coated with varnish and vies a false reading. Clean it gently with carb cleaner and a toothbrush.
Other than that, I would go to an auto parts store that can run a computer scan for free to see if you have any fault codes stored. They will tell you next stpes.

I assume you 2.0L SPI engine & not Zetec.


Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve —2.0L SPI Removal

1. Disconnect the idle air control (IAC) valve electrical connector (air cleaner outlet tube removed for clarity).

1. Remove the IAC valve.

1. Remove and discard the IAC valve gasket.

Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Removal

1. Remove the air cleaner outlet pipe.

1. Disconnect the mass air flow (MAF) sensor electrical connector.

1. Remove the MAF sensor.

clean element inside carefully


PS. A good running engine makes for a better running transmission

Hi, agood posibility is your trotlle position sensor,,,replace fuel filter.Good Luck.