
Im having real trouble getting the running issue's sorted out and its the last job out of a very, very long line of jobs already done, dont you just love a reliable german motor

From a cold start the engine will fire ,feels like its going to start then it doesnt and wont fire at all until its been cranked for about 10 seconds it will then start and sound like its running on 3 for a few seconds but you have to keep the throttle deppressed, if i release the throttle the revs drop and it will verge on stalling then hunt for a few times leaping from 600rpm to 1100rpm before dying.
The strange thing is no matter how long the revs are artificially maintained via the throttle for it will die in this manner when the throttle is released, even when warm, but after its stalled you can turn the key with no throttle applied in the usual way and it fires into life and idles at 900rpm as it should.
Another symptom is that when hot and its been idling a while the revs gradualy tail off (after 10 minutes or so). opening the bonnet and pushing the throttle cam hard shut will make the engine rev back up and settle at a normal idle speed again. Ive found that the TPS only senses fully open or fully closed throttle and activates a microswitch at both position, but the throttle will not close far enough under its own spring to activate it all the time. There is a screw to set the throttle idle position but the butterfly valve fully closes in the intake and so the throttle will not close anymore than it already is.
I know its a long winded one but im tearing my hair out here so any suggestions would be much appreciated.
The engine is a 2.0 four cyl sohc 16v with EFI and mechanical ignition.
D