Ok guys, first thank you for the responses. I figure i should post results to put a period on this thread.
Here is what i did.
I removed the Idle Control Valve and cleaned it with throttle body cleaner. I then cleaned the electric connector with contact cleaner and then put it all back together using dielectric grease on the connector pins/sockets. Fired it up, no change.
Next, i removed the throttle position sensor connector and cleaned it with contact cleaner and then put the it back together using dielectric grease. Fired it up, no change.
Next, i replaced the throttle position sensor with a new one. Fired it up and it idled fine. i thought i had it solved until i notice i hadn't put the big vacuum hose back on the port on the top of the throttle body. so i put the hose back on (while the motor was running) and it was fine. All fixed? Not so fast my friends. When i tried to start the truck with the vacuum hose back in place, same problem as before. Strangely, if i removed the hose and left the port open, it would start, idle and operate normally even if i put the hose back on....but if i shut it off and restarted, no dice.
So next, i replaced the idle control valve, put everything back together and viola, it works perfectly.
So, i am not completely sure what the culprit was because i never switched the throttle position sensor back to the old one to test it with the new idle control valve. i figured it was working, so why jinx it.
that is all...and thanks again as i wouldn't have found the problem without help!
Last edited by Garranimal; 10/15/12 08:09 PM.