got it started, but...

[A5295]

this is how it all started:

It started soon after my transmission install... It wouldnt start correctly. I mean, it would just spin, and spin, but not catch. Acted like the car was flooding. I smelled fuel a couple of times. It eventually got where it wouldnt do anything but drag down the starter. I put a new starter in and ran new grounds (it burned the original ones) I went through like 4 starters in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, it got where it was just dragging, and wouldnt start. I parked the car after takin it to a mechanic who told me that he thought it had jumped time, and would probably have engine damage. I, at the time, couldnt afford or had the time to look at it further (dont flame, please-i was working 7 days a week, doing everything from sales at a hardware store to heavy construction on the weekends). I had my mr2 running, so i drove it, and it just ate a HG.

After being down for several months, i finally got my maxima started again. I had trouble with the starter dragging, but turns out that the batt cable ends(which were new) were cracked, and wouldnt tighten up. got everything tightened up, and got the connectors changed... It still wouldnt start. I pull the plugs and they are all fuel-fouled (they were new plats, too). I put in a new set, and it ran like a dream, and still starts, but it sounds like its dragging the starter again. I cant figure it out... At one point the injectors were just pulsing without the car actually running but the key was on. My uncle seems to think that its the coolant temperature sensor causing it to push too much fuel, flood the cylinders and foul the plugs. What else should i look for? Is there anything else it could be? Would the coolant temp sensor also cause it to run rich or get bad mileage? Ive gotten 15mpg in town before, which i think is pretty low for these cars

Its a 97 se 5spd with ~122k on it. Only mods are intake, clears, and a tower bar.

[NISTECH]

have an induction flush performed and make sure they clean the throttle body when they do it. also be sure they put it in base mode and set the base idle.