Trouble starting, engine won't catch

There is air in the fuel system.

kimberley, your car needs a tune up including sparks plug. When was the last tune up? Long time eh!

often times the engine needs to warm up to normal operating temperature. this varies from makes and models. if you cant wait that long, having it idle for approximately 5 - 10 minutes should at least lessen the acceleration problem, but the longer you wait the better it will be on the engine.

What is the trouble code stored in the computer?

Your alternator is not charging the Battery, I would replace the battery with a new gel battery and have the alternator checked, bets on your battery just died.

If it runs rough all the time, could be a bad coil pack/wires. If just starting and hesitates on acceleration, I would suspect the throttle position sensor.

You need to get the trouble codes out of the computer first. Take it to your local autoparts store and they can hook up a scan tool and retreive codes this give you a general area start looking for the problem.

Looks like a typical fuel pump problem. If the pump is defective, it will take time to build the necesarry pressure in the fuel rail for starting the engine and once it starts, if you floor the accelerator, it will either not respond or will hesitate. I recommend measuring the fuel rail pressure. If it is less than specified, which is 41-47 psi, then replace it.

It sounds like there is a problem with the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve. Its job is to open and let air into the manifold when the throttle is closed at idle. If it does not open, the engine dies at idle. The IAC is mounted on the throttle body. Possibly the valve is clogged or stuck, in which case it could be ok again if it is removed and cleaned. Or it is broken, and needs to be replaced. Or, there is a problem with its electrical connection, that needs to be traced. Good luck, let me know if you have any questions.

This has to be your timing.