I tried the starting fluid, I think it made it harder to start. Almost like it had to evaporate before the motor would start then run for 2-3 seconds and die.
Do you have air flow thru the filter?? You've most likely done this but if not open the air filter box and pull the filter and try it. If the engine won't pick up when you spray starter fluid in the air intake you may be oxygen starving it. Course if there's ice in the fuel line you're fuel starving. That's a SWAG from a shade tree mechanic but I'd check it. If you somehow got water in the filter and it froze or if there's anything else in there to cause a serious occlusion it would create problems. But a code reader is more likely the gem.