What would make a car die when stopping?

Question

Its a 96 Dodge Caravan... It runs fine as long as you give it gas but as soon as you go to stop, it dies. It idles fine in park also.

Answer 1

I think just giving the car a good service would be the best idea

Answer 2

Could be many things. The first thing to check for is vacuum leaks. Look under the hood for disconnected or worn/cracked hoses. That would be the most common cause. If you find one that looks like it may have a hole in it, wrap some electrical tape around it tightly and see if it fixed the problem. If it did, replace the hose.

Not the alternator. The alternator charges the battery whenever the car is running.

Air filter is a possibility, but you'd notice a "lopey" or irregular idle in park as well as drive. The same applies for spark plug wires.

The next thing I'd look at would be the TPS (throttle position sensor) and the IAC (Idle/air control valve). Both are relatively minor jobs (an hour or so labor-wise). Either one of these may "throw a code" which any competent mechanic can test for.

Answer 3

only 1 rite answer so far but he was still wrong you need to bump the idle using the throttle plate stop screw to do this it is on the throttle body look where the cables go there will be a caped port it has a screw under it tighten it till the idle goes up Thain loosen it till it just gets to an idle the computer will take over at some point you want this set just under where the computer takes over this will fix the problem it has nothing to do with alternator or battery as you couldn't re start torque converter would cause a hard stall PVC or vacuum leaks wont do it ether

Answer 4

The torque converter answer was correct. if the car was running OK in park and out of gear then the engine is not the problem. The cars torque converter is not releasing and hence is stalling the engine (the same as just stopping a manual transmission car and forgetting to press in the clutch)........funnily enough if you take in in the shop a transmission oil and filter change can do the trick, my Mercedes did exactly this.

Answer 5

Your torque converter might be locked up. When you start cruising (no longer accelerating), the automatic transmission's torque converter will lock to save gas. Normally, the converter is supposed to release when you slow down. That would explain why your car dies when you come to a stop. If this is the case, your torque converter will have to be replaced.

You can get around the problem temporarilly by shifting to neutral when you're coming to a stop, but dropping the car into drive from a stop will kill your tranny if you do it too much. :-)

hope that helps

Answer 6

The first thing to check now days is the car battery. I have seen more cars today that will act crazy due to a weak battery. It might have something to do with the CMOS chips that are used today.

Good Luck

Answer 7

You might have some wires touching something it shouldn't be under the bonnet. When you hit the break it might be touching the ignition and cutting out. Best to see a mechanic.
That's my girlie opinion.

Answer 8

Could be your altinator. When the car stops, the engine is no longer providing the electricity and the altinator no longer is charging the battery.

Answer 9

the idle may be set too low. I had a car that did this.

It could be an air problem too.... check your carb or air filter.

Answer 10

Baby Girl, it's time you asked Daddy for a new one...it done broke