any input appreciated. my car has been having a stalling problem for about 4 days now. this is what it does:

1. seems to only do it when warm

2. seems to only do it in gear

3. seems to only do it when the car's not moving (like after being stopped at a light)

4. only does it sometimes

after it dies it will start right up but takes a lil bit more cranking. it will start, run fine until i put it in either R or D. it will run fine for like the first 2 or 3 seconds after putting it in gear, then it will stumble real quick and die. if i do this again and it doesn't die, it will run normally. no hesitation or stumbling. most commonly it'll do it at a light. today i was driving on the freeway. got stuck in traffic. came to a full stop. and died.

sounds like a sensor problem to me although i'm not getting any codes. also today while was stopped in gear instead of stalling, the RPMs suddenly went up a bit. as if i had tapped the gas. then drove fine. first time it did this since the problem started. feel like checking TPS but dunno if that would cause the car to just die like that without warning. also the IAC valve is only like 4 months old and the bore inside is clean.

TIA

 

You just described my problem to a "T"!

I hope you get an answer.....'cause I'd like to know myself!

NM

 

Since you say it happens usually only at stops, it could be the torque converter. If for some reason it is staying locked up it could cause the car to stall at stoplights or when you are idleing in gear. Might want to check the lockup release switch on the brake.

 

I agree sounds like maybe the torque converter isnt unlocking. Try unplugging the lock up plug at the tranny to see if it stops.

 

Could it possibly be a bad IAC? My car had that issue after it had a battery change, the IAC had to relearn where the stupid thing liked to idle at (or, to be more accurate, the ECM had to relearn...)

 

Have you checked voltage from the alt?

I think thats' where mine is comming from. Alt is pushing under 13 V @ idle, cold....when the cooling fan kicks in it drops to 10.5(this is by the dash guage)....you don't want to see it with the headlights on!

Got a feeling that low voltage is causing misreads on sensors and taxing the 'puter.

I'll know after I replace the alt.

NM

 

ok i was planning on checking the TCC to see if it was sticking but decided to drive it again beforehand. i think the reason why it was taking longer and longer for the motor to crank was b/c the starter was on its way out. and tonight it decided to leave. so i have to get this replaced before i do anything else. i bought a stock unit from auto zone but then remembered that i read about LT1 starters bolting up so i will wait til tomorrow to get one of those instead. at first i thought it was the battery (alternator is new) but all the lights go on and i tried to jump it with another car but all i kept hearing was whines and loud clicks coming from the starter. is it possible it was pulling too much current causing the car to die when idling?

 

put in an LT1 starter. still didnt start. bought new battery. started right up. all the lights were coming on but when i tried to crank it they all went off, and voltage went down to almost nothing but had normal voltage when not being cranked. i most likely didnt need the starter but am glad i changed it. quite a difference from the stock unit and quite BETTER in sound, weight, appearance, ease of removal/installation, and power to turn the engine (starts even quicker now).

so i've driven it 4 times now and no stalling so far. hopefully it was just the battery causing it.