My car stalls all the time what can it be?

Question

my car stalls at every junction, etc, and also the engine management light comes on, someone said it could be the oxygen sensor

as soon as you depress the clutch the cars revs go down and it stalls....you could be doing 50 mph and do this and it would cut out

vauxhall zafira

Answer 1

What year and engine is it. If it's between 1996 and 1999 and a 1.6 1.8 or 2.0 ecotec engine it's probably your idle control valve as these always go. But contrary to what has been said do clean it out. It'll be located on the side of the throttle body which is connected to the air pipe from the air filter and the engine. Unbolt that and then unscrew the motor half of the mechanism (the bit with wires into it) and spray carb cleaner into the mechanical half then leave to dry. put it all back together and bobs your aunti's husband.

Then once that's done clean out all the breather pipes as they'll have oil and carbon blocking them causing back pressure and depositing crap in the ICV. need anymore help try www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk and they'll sort you out :)

Answer 2

Does the engine management light come on when you first go to start the engine? It may just be the ignition light?? As it happens at speed too when you dip the clutch, it sounds like the idle jet is blocked. This is common in older cars that do not have fuel injection but can occur in newer ones too. There is a bottle of petrol treatment called "Redex". This is added straight to the petrol tank (mixing guides are on the back of the bottle) and cleans all the pipes and jets as it goes through. If you have an older car, take it to a car park when you first put it in as it can cause a few big clouds of smoke, don't get worried if that happens, it means the Redex is doing it's job! You may also find it's time for a service

Answer 3

Its probably the idle stabalisation valve. It should be found close to the throttle body. If its faulty then the car doesn't know what the idle revs should be and so the car stalls.

I had an Audi that did this every time I drew up to junctions, roundabouts etc. Not a lot of fun. Get it replaced (less than £100) and you should find the problem goes away.

Answer 4

First try injection cleaner then check air filter see how clean it is then check spark plugs if they have got like a black sooty deposit on them your car is running rich most of the time it is the o2 sensor that is the problem which is usually on down pipe under the engine you can get a universal one cheap off eBay hope this helps p.s. best change spark plugs too

Answer 5

We are just guessing here, but, the oxygen sensor is one of the last items that come to my mind.

Stay away from that someone...

If your car works fine excepts on Idle, The first item I would check is the Idle solenoid valve or a loose or broken vacuum hose

Answer 6

If your car is a Renault it probably needs a new timing sensor. About £25. My Clio was doing the same thing and my local garage fixed it in no time.

Answer 7

No one will be able to diagnose your problem on here. Your best bet is getting a friend who knows about cars to drive with you otherwise you'll just have to pay a mechanic.

I had a similar type of problem and it took me a week to figure out it was a loose wire on the coil.

Answer 8

if your mileage is getting up to the 50,000 mark, then it`s likely to be the Idle Air Control Valve. Don't bother trying to clean it, get a new one ! The engine management light may or may not be a connected problem.

Answer 9

I had this problem with my 10 year old car and my next door neighbour (qualified mechanic) asked me where I got my petrol from the supermarket I replied thats your problem he exclaimed and went on to say they buy low octane fuels designed for lean burn engines . try a named brand he Cried so got some Texaco and the problem disapeared as if by magic.

Answer 10

Try fuel injection cleaner. I had this problem it would die at stop lights/signs. I put 2 bottles of fuel injector/carb cleaner in the fuel tank never had this problem again. Also check your air filter.