My car dies at every stop sign

CREDMON765

MEMBER
2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160 MILES

We have replaced the water pump and timing belt just last week, before that the list can go on and on, but when the car comes to a stop it dies, but will start back up, last time this happened it was a fuse that went bad, and then the fuse quit working so did the car, but that was 4 months ago and we took it to a shop and it was fixed, we bought a code reader and nothing comes up but the O2 in the gas tank isn't working and hasn't since we got the car which was in nov so its not been with us to long we have put 2000 in this car since nov so we have had the car less then a year now.

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Boy, I hope you're sitting down, or you WILL be for this repair!

This is not a fuse issue. It is a result of the battery being disconnected during the recent service. The Engine Computer lost its memory. As you drive the car, fuel trim numbers will be relearned without you ever knowing that is taking place, but the computer also has to relearn "minimum throttle". Until that takes place, the engine may be hard to start unless you hold the accelerator pedal down 1/4", you won't get the nice "idle flare-up" to 1500 rpm at start-up, and it will tend to stall at stop signs.

I hope you're up to the solution! To meet the conditions needed for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the pedals.

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Tuesday, June 16th, 2015 AT 4:35 PM

CREDMON765

MEMBER
1 POST

The only issue is if I take my foot off the gas it dies, as long as my foot stays on it it will stay running, its idle is pretty rough right now but to keep it running its got to stay between 1 and 2 rpm, my father thinks it maybe the tps, ive also thought it could be the iac, which the parts are to to much for those. I just would hate to buy those and it no be the issue

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Monday, June 22nd, 2015 AT 8:56 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Forget the throttle position sensor and automatic idle speed motor. You said the engine is running rough. That suggests a misfire, and spark plugs are the place to start. You can't expect the engine to run properly if a cylinder is misfiring. The TPS has very little effect on how the engine runs and won't cause rough running. The idle speed motor also won't cause running problems.

This started off with a timing belt repair. This is an interference engine, so you might consider doing a compression test. It is possible to cause bent valves, and that will result in rough running.

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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015 AT 12:09 AM