So yeah, pretty cut and dry, The car keeps stalling at lights, it's very random, maybe once a day. It just shuts off, doesn't throw a code, and just starts back up, some times I have to rev a bit to keep her going at first. I have no idea where to start.

Any ideas?

 

TPS or IACV, it's one or the other

 

Thanks man, I'll check them out.

 

Sounds like it could also be an ignition switch, if it's just randomly shutting off. Try wiggling the key while the car is on and see if it shuts off.

 

well the wiggle the key trick didn't work. Coming to work today was like trying to fly a damn helicopter. The engine stalls when there's no load i.e. going down a hill. I have to put it in neutral and keep the revs over 1k. Same with at stop lights. When I start the car, I have to keep my foot off the gas. When it does stall, sometimes the ignition doesnt come back on, sometimes it does and starts up while I'm moving. It's got to be a short or something

Yesterday I cleaned the air filter and checked all the plugs. Next will be the fuel filter (which I'm terrified to do).

I'll add; a week ago I was driving and a relay under the passenger airbag(that's where the sound came from) was clicking really loud and the next day and since, nothing. Damn gremlins, I have no idea, and very little money 165k mi btw also heard a loud thunk that sounded like it was in my gas tank while driving today.

 

did you ever check the TPS and IACV?

 

Well, honestly, I just seafoamed the throttle body and all the ports. I didn't go further because then the tranny threw codes. I'm just not getting the time off to check every sensor.

At this point, because it stalls so much, I'v e come to think it's the ignition. I notice two things, if I don't push the key in hard it stalls less and if I keep it in D3, it restarts without needing to cycle the ignition. I'll tell ya what, it's scary as hell. I went through this set of roundabouts the other day and it stalled on every one of them. The first one D4 started blinking and the second and third roundabout, I had to cycle the ignition many many times before I got any lights on the dash, mind you the lights and radio still worked. As far as the tranny, I realized, hey when these issues started I had run over a tree and haven't since had her on a lift.

I have off tomorrow, maybe I can check some sensors. Also definitely inspecting the undercarriage. I also realize the EGR should be clogging up soon as well. I just wont give up on this car.

 

okay, sooooooo, progress! The problem showed itself. It has to be the ignition. I was driving, it stalled, I'm doing about 45mph, I cycle the key and to my surprise when I got the light on the dash to light up, the engine just started on its own. Has to be that part under the steering column.

 

there was a recall for the ignition switch? my cl would do the samething only while I was driving. the car would shut off while it was moving and restart all by its self while it was still moving

 

I've got a 98 2.3 CL, 5 spd manual, 243k miles. It too has been doing this (stalling at lights- particularly when coming off interstate for example) for quite sometime, although its never been too common, and it does seem to be much less frequent since I got a new battery. Truthfully I've simply gotten into the habit of blipping the throttle when shifting into neutral and coming to a stop-- that always prevents it. I did have my ignition switch changed also, but with no effect.