my 2004 toyota corolla will start but wont stay on unless i give it gas and get it running...after driving it for a few mins its fine....check engine light came on after a day of this happening...I replaced the spark plugs and the coils looked fine...what could the problem be?

There are so many things, I recommend an OBDII scan That will eliminate a lot of guesswork and buying parts you don't need. Many parts houses will scan it free. Don't buy anything ..yet. Electrical parts can't be returned. Get the code(s) and bring them back here....one of us will be happy to help. Or drop me a PM.

One of the sensors is probably not sending the right signal to the ECU and when cold it's running lean, it needs a bit more fuel in the mix cold and when warm it's running with the right mix of 14.7:1. Problem is which one..MAF, MAP. o2..and more. That's what the scan will tell.

Thanks for the help !

I have a Corolla and have studied them a lot

You studied Corolla's and you are a Ford NUT lol now that is a good one

West coast Toyota, it is my experience (after my Toyota being stolen then found totaled) that owning a Ford will eventually drive one nowhere but Nuts - hence my thought on why Ford nut is named so and now owns a Toyota lol

check ur battery. computer is finicky! had same exact issue before with my Durango! BUT THERE WERE NO OTHER SIGNS WHATSOEVER THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED REPLACED! LIGHTS AND ALL ELECTRONICS WERE AS BRIGHT AS THEY EVER WERE AND NO DIMMING! THE COMPUTER WASNT HAPPY WITH THE BATTERY VOLTAGE THOUGH AND WOULD LITTERALLY HAVE TO HOLD GAS PEDDLE FOR A COUPLE MINUTES ROUGHLY, BEFORE I COULD LET OFF AND THE CAR RUN ON ITS OWN AND IDLE. NEW BATTERY AND NOT A SINGLE ISSUE AFTER INSTALL! WAS ONE OF THE WEIRDER ISSUES IVE EVER COME ACROSS BEFORE.