Chrysler Repair: 2001 Town and Country Idle problem, throttle position sensor, steering colum

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2002 T&C 3.8L. The only way it will start is to hold foot on gas. You can put it in drive and go all day as long as you don't take foot off gas. If you take the MAP sensor off it will sit and idle if you put it back on it dies. Any clue as what the problem is? I replaced
MAP sensor no difference. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Scott,
It could be the automatic idle speed motor or the throttle position sensor or maybe yet something else. Have you tried to get fault codes out of the engine controller. Use the ignition key: "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if the mileage reading changes to show 4-digit number beginning with a P which are the fault codes. Or you can often get a free readout with a code reader that plugs into a socket under the dash by the steering colum at an Autozone parts store. Once you get the numbers let me know and we'll go from there.
Have you tried to clean out the throat of the throttle body and the butterfly plate on both sides, and also the idle air by-pass passageway on the side of the throat? If not, then take some solvent and do that and that might correct the problem for you.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The code showed P 1684

Answer
Hi Scott,
Unfortunately that code just means the battery was disconnected recently. So without any relevant codes I would pursue the throttle body throat cleanout. Also see if you can find any loose vacuum hose connections to the intake manifold. The other possible cause for a poor idle situation is an egr valve that is sticking slightly ajar so take a look at that and verify that the valve stem moves freely and that the internal spring-action closes the valve to a dead stop.
Roland