New Battery, Still Stalls?

HOLLYROSE78

MEMBER
1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE

Electrical problem
1997 Pontiac Sunfire 4 cyl Automatic 270000 miles

On the first cold day of the year, the car refused to start. My mechanic said that the battery was completely dead so I had a new one installed. The car starts fine now, but when I start the car and switch from "Park" to "drive" the engine stops and the breaks lock up. At this time, the battery light comes on. I put the car in park and turn off the engine, and restart. It usually starts again without hesitation, but sometimes the exact same thing happens again. Should this be happening with a new battery? Any idea what might be causing this? I added a liquid fuel system cleaner with my last tank of gas on the same night that this last occurred. Will this help the problem? Thank you.

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Get the coolant temperature sensor, idle air control valve, exhaust gas recirculating valve, and throttle position sensor check

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Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 AT 8:14 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
45,734 POSTS

To me it sounds like the IAC valve needs to be replaced, can I ask if it stalls in reverse? If so you may have a torque converter that needs to be replaced. Here is the location of the IAC motor so you can check it out.

This guide may be able to help as well

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Check out the images (below). Let us know what you find.

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