Porsche Repair: Porsche 944, air flow meter, electronic signals

Question
I have a 1988 Porsche 944. I had it sitting for about 2 years. I wanted to start using it again and it would not start up. I spray starter fluid in the throttle body and it starts up right away and will run for a couple of seconds and turn off unless I keep on spraying it in. I took the bolt off the front of the fuel rail and cranked the engine and gas runs out at a good even flow.
I don't know what to do next. please help.

Answer
Hi Gerald,

The first thing that comes to mind is the air flow meter.  It's basically a doorway (a metal flap) that opens to allow air into the intake manifold.  It's primary job is to send electronic signals to the computer which indicate just how far open or closed it is...a measure of air vloume being sucked into the engine.

The meter is inside the air intake assembly after the air filter.  It can get oily and gunky and if it sticks open or shut, or it it can't move freely it cannot send that important signal.  If it sends a signal that is widely wrong, the computer will default to STOP.  So...I'd investigate the possibility the door has lost its freedom of movement  while it was sitting.

Dave