car_shakes_then_dies__why?

[Joe Cool]

2002 plain jane 4 door Protege w/no mods and 55,000 miles

Sometimes when I come to a stop, the car shakes, and then dies. Most of the time I can prevent it - when I feel the car start to shake when I'm slowing down, I'll throw it in neutral or park, and rev the engine, and keep the RPMs around 1,000. When the light turns green, I put it in drive, and then I'm fine again. It's almost like the gas stops going into the engine. Thoughts? Fuel pump? Filter? Both? I'm on crack?

Thanks, all!

 

[Witchdoktor]

bad/dirty maf maybe

throwing a cel ?

 

[25FConv]

Yeh good chance something is up with the MAF.

 

[yrphuct]

It could be the MAF as the last couple people have said but also take a good look for a vacuum leak.

 

[Joe Cool]

keep em comin

Thanks for the replies. Any other possibilities? Just trying to cover my bases before the mechanic tries to screw me and declares that the muffler bearings need to be replaced. (butthump)

 

[LordWorm]

Bipass air control/idle control valve. I get simillar behaviour with mine becaue of the mods i've done to the thing...

 

[Joe Cool]

throwing a cel ?

Sorry for the ignorance, but what does this mean?

(hah) Guess I lose my terminology when I leave "the scene"

 

[Joe Cool]

more Qs

Bipass air control/idle control valve. I get simillar behaviour with mine becaue of the mods i've done to the thing...

I have zero engine mods. Would this still apply to me? If so, should it be replaced or fixed? And finally, is the Bipass air control and idle control valve the same thing or seperate?

Thanks again

 

[LordWorm]

I have zero engine mods. Would this still apply to me? If so, should it be replaced or fixed? And finally, is the Bipass air control and idle control valve the same thing or seperate?

Thanks again

If hte idle control valve is unplugged, it'd certainly apply to you.

bypass air control is a little screw that lets a bit of air out
idle control valve is a solenoid which opens and shuts a valve to idle up and idle down.

Quick test to see if your idle control is broken or not...get the car idling, and turn on the AC. If it stalls, theres your problem.

 

[Roywhitep5]

maybe the vcts?

 

[Joe Cool]

next

If hte idle control valve is unplugged, it'd certainly apply to you.

Nah, no mods. Wife's car, and she only let me add HIDs and body-colored front skirt. ;-)

Quick test to see if your idle control is broken or not...get the car idling, and turn on the AC. If it stalls, theres your problem.

Then that's not it. Thanks, though (uhm)

 

[Witchdoktor]

Sorry for the ignorance, but what does this mean?

(hah) Guess I lose my terminology when I leave "the scene"

on the gauge cluster, is the engine icon illuminated?

 

[LordWorm]

maybe the vcts?

or vics butterfly has come loose - compression test in order maybe?

 

[Joe Cool]

on the gauge cluster, is the engine icon illuminated?

No. Car runs fine except for shutting off sometimes!

We'll see what happens. So far, the possibilities are:
MAF
vacuum line
VCTS

I'm new to the DC area, so I don't know any mechanics. Don't want them to take me for a ride!


Thanks again, all