Car stalling while driving?

Tiny
JJW03076
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
My car is stalling while driving. Usually when I slow down before a stop. I have changed the spark plugs and air filter and I have been using fuel injector cleaner but nothing has helped
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 7:23 AM

52 Replies

Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
I have seen the crankshaft angle sensor cause this issue here is the location so you can change it out for a new one this guide can help as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
JJW03076
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Thank you that fixed it the site is the best!
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
SBARKER13
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  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 119,000 MILES
While driving down the highway, the defrost was on and high beam head lights. The car cut off, once I stopped the car started back up and ran fine. I got the battery, Alternator, and starter all checked out fine.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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Since it can only be diagnosed at the exact moment it dies, it's going to have to get a lot worse before you will be able to find the problem. If the check engine light comes on, the stored codes may give you a hint of what is going on.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KLEASON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,625 MILES
Last week I started the car after a very cold night, experienced symptoms much like a misfire. Happened again once after that and I let it idle to warm up - ran perfectly. Parked it in the driveway. Monday I drove it and it was fine. Tuesday morning after a night of -1 temps I go to start the car to warm it up and it starts HARD then stalls. I had 3/4 of a tank of gas. Did this several times. Left it alone. Put Heet (gas antifreeze) in the tank and rocked the car to mix it in. Went to start it this afternoon (1pm) and the car is doing the same thing (it is 30 degrees but feels warmer with sun). I put the car in Nuetral and started it - started easier then sputtered to a stall in 5 seconds.
Yesterday I tried starting it with my foot to the floor and it got to 500rpm's and quit.

What could this be? I replaced the fuel pump around 70k. I haven't had a tune-up. But - I have changed my air filter, and can do spark plugs probably. Does this sound fuel filter/system related? I am very worried as I am at school 3 hours (220miles) from home & my regular mechanic and can't afford to have it towed (obviously) and I am scared I will get ripped off out here (Syracuse).

Any suggestions?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THETOOLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 123 POSTS
Did you change your fuel pump yourself? Has the vehicle run any since you changed the fuel pump. Did you change the fuel filter. Sorry about all the questions but we need to narrow it down just a bit. It does sound fuel related however if you have never had a tuneup plugs and wires are due.
Did the vehicle run out of gas? If so, what happens with the fuel injected vehicles the high psi of the system will pickup a lot of debris from the bottom of the tank. All of this gets caught by the fuel filter. So you may just need to change your fuel filter. That is a simple and cheap first step. I would try that especially if it ran out of gas.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAM31994
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
My car has been stalling when I driving around. When I turn the key off and back on it starts right back up and runs. It also cuts in and out around 2,000 rpm's. I have replaced the crankshaft position sensor. There are no codes. I need help please and thanks.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Good morning,

A common issue with this failure is the ignition module.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

Before assuming it is the issue, I would remove it and take it to a parts store and have them test it. it is a free service. make sure you have them test it at least three times as it may have to get hot to fail.

it does not sound like a fuel pump as it starts right back up. if it was a fuel pump it would crank for about ten seconds before starting.

Roy

Procedure

1. Remove the air cleaner outlet from the air cleaner.
2. Remove the ICM electrical connectors (1) and spark plug wires (2).
3. Remove the ignition coils bolts (3).
4. Remove the ignition coils and ICM assembly.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAM31994
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Thank you for the information.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CAV385
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
My car keeps shutting off even after I replaced the alternator and the battery. Before my car shuts off it revs really low and high while the trac off light comes on. Also my temperature gauge keeps going up and down. I don't know if all of that is tied together or not?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

Do you mean the battery dies and has to be jumped started or charged for it to start?

Please give me as much information as possible.

Roy
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CAV385
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
When turning it on I give it a little gas and it will start. I typically do not have to jump start it or charge it.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, thanks.

There is an idle control motor. That is the usual cause for having to give it throttle to start.

Does it have any codes?

1. Remove the idle air control (IAC) valve electrical connector.
2. Remove the IAC valve attaching screws (1).

NOTE: If the IAC valve has been in service: DO NOT push or pull on the IAC valve pintle. The force required to move the pintle may damage the threads on the worm drive. Also, DO NOT soak the IAC valve in any liquid cleaner or solvent, as damage may result.

3. Remove the IAC valve O-ring (3).
Clean the IAC valve O-ring sealing surface, the pintle valve seat, and the air passage.
The IAC valve may be cleaned. Use a shop towel or a parts cleaning brush to remove heavy deposits.
Shiny spots on the pintle or seat are normal, and do not indicate misalignment or a bent pintle shaft.
Whenever air passages have heavy deposits, remove the throttle body for complete cleaning.
Inspect the IAC valve O-ring for cuts, cracks, or distortion. Replace the valve if it is damaged.
Whenever installing a new IAC valve, be sure to replace it with an identical part. The IAC valve pintle shape and diameter are designed for the specific application.

Roy
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GOLFMOMMA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108 MILES
I have a 2001 Cavalier that I have to force to run/start by applying pressure to the gas pedal. I have tried replacing the fuel filter, the spark plugs, and even run some "Gum out" through the gas. The problem has not improved. Any ideas? The car has about 108K on the engine & transmission, and has never had any major repairs.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Use a gage and check fuel pressure. Also, check that the pressure holds when the pump stops and doesn't drop like a rock.

Clean the throttle-body and iac/idle air control. Let us know what you find.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EHUNTER
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  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 139,000 MILES
2001 Chevy Cavilier at higher rpm 3500 to 4000 engine seems to spit and sputter, seems like it breaking down. The engine is a 2.2. So far no codes have show up. This problem just started in last day, was do it at take off now seems to be at higher rpm's
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Fuel pressure check? Or maybe filter? MAF sensor clean? Vacuum leak somewhere?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
EGR sticking/dirty
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GEMINIJO87
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
My 2001 Chevy Cavalier will shut off for no reason while driving. I will be driving and the trac off light will come on and then the car will stall out as I slow down or it will sputter and eventually stop. Other times it's like it loses power and starts to slow down and than my check engine light also comes on. If I shut the car off and turn it back on it starts up just fine and sometimes I can drive away just fine, and other times it can happen again within a few minutes. I recently replaced my alternator and the battery. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)

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