the problem im having is that as soon as i turn the engine on it stumbles for about ten seconds and then shuts off. the air filter is clean,alternater is good batt is charge, it still revs up (in fact the car will stay on when i hold the acceleration pedal down, my obd system does not show any malfunction i have a 1989 model protege[>:]need some help asap thanks

 

Is that a a1989 or 1998 Protege orozn? Reason I ask is that the Protege name was really not used untill 1991 and big difference between the two.
Is this stalling only occuring when engine is just started and cold but will idle ok once engine is warmed up fully or is the stalling occuing all of the time regardless of engine temperature

 

its a protege probably a 91 but i held the pedal down (because it will stay on as long as the acceleration pedal is held down) until it was warm the usual engine temp and sometimes it would stay on for a couple seconds longer but only sometimes.

 

My first guess would be the fuel system, but check things like plugs, rotor and cap, if you haven't changed them if the past year. If the electric side looks good, try Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner. IF this doesn't make the problem go away after a few tank loads, change the fuel filter...

 

So the engine is really only stalling cold unless you keep your foot on the gas pedal but once engine is fully warmed up it will idle without keeping you foot on the gas pedal yes?
If this is the case then keep in mind that there are two completely separate and distinct idle control systems on your 91 323/Protege. On the under side on the intake manifold just to the rear of the #2 and #3 fuel injectors is one part of the idle control system called the Bypass Air Control Valve. This valve is entirely mechanical and controlled by coolant temperature. When you first start the engine cold, this valve is all the way open and gives you that high cold idle speed. As coolant starts warming, this valve starts slowly closing and idle speed drops. At some certain temperature valve would close off entirely. Just before this happens the other half of the idle speed control system takes over. It is located under the throttle body and is electronicly controled by the engine computer. Is is called the ISC or Idle Speed Control valve.Once the BAC valve is almost closed the engine computer then begins operating the ISC valve to give you a consistant idle speed under any operating condition.
Sounds to me like the BAC valve is stuck closed and not providing that cold idle up.