View Full Version : ATX nearly stalling?
Red2KCougar
12-30-2002, 12:42 AM
When I start my car first thing in the morning and wait about 5 seconds and throw it in reverse(prolly not good in the first place, but i'm usually in a hurry), it feels like the car is extremly sluggish and is bearly idling and is about to stall when reversing. Soon as I push the gas down a little it goes away. Once I'm backed out and stopped and put it into drive it sort of does it again when first taking off, but after that it doesnt do it again.
My IAC Valve is going and it starts howling sometimes on really cold morning, but even when that isn't going it still does this almost stall thing. The RPM's go down to like 500 or so and just feels like its gonna break down or something.
Anyone know what this might be? I know if I sit there for about 20-30 seconds it usually wont do it, I guess the car is warmed up just enough to keep it from doing it.
Any advice?
Instigator
12-30-2002, 12:59 AM
im pretty sure cuz youre not letting it warm up........thats my best diagnosis:shrug:
Sunni
12-30-2002, 02:58 AM
alternator :shrug:
Red2KCougar
12-30-2002, 03:13 AM
Originally posted by: Sunni
alternator :shrug:
alternator's job is to hold electrical charge.. i doub't thats it...
99CouGSweetRide
12-30-2002, 03:39 AM
I think maybe you should let the car warm up a little longer. One night when I went out (it was maybe 30 degrees), my car had been sitting in the driveway all day, and I didn't let it warm up. It felt really sluggish and the IAC valve was pretty loud. And the car idles above 1000 for about 2 minutes. But it has never stalled on me (yet)
Mike
(PS: Also, leave the E-brake down!)
putergeek
12-30-2002, 04:03 AM
I'm having the same problems with my '89 t-bird. My guess for my car is that the plugs and wires need to be replaced. Might be something to look into:shrug:
01blkcat
12-30-2002, 10:49 AM
I've got a 01 that does that... it's because the engine didn't warm up. If I take it out of the driveway on a cold day without giving it 30 seconds or a minute, then when I put it in drive, the RPMs dip to below 300... otherwise, it will stay normal if it's warm.
caenus
12-30-2002, 11:09 AM
That happens to me occaisonally too, however its not the cold out, usually 60's or 70's weather will sometimes do it, its no consistant. Perhaps usin a different type of oil will help? I'm using 5w30 synthetic now.
JScullin
12-30-2002, 01:25 PM
It might not be a warm up thing. I'm here in Mass and in the mornings it's easily 20 or lower. I start up my car & move it out of the driveway (to close the gate) and she runs fine. What you may have is condensation in the gas tank, I had this once and she ran sluggish or didn't start at all. I added some of that STP "dry gas" or gasline demosturizer and she works fine.
NYKAT
12-30-2002, 01:27 PM
Im not a mechanic, but I had a similar problem on an Acura I used to have. Im not sure if it could be the same thing. There was an idle control module that was shot. This module kept the idle speed high before the car was warmed up, when it failed, the car dropped down in rpms when it was cold and almost stalled.
01blkcat
12-30-2002, 02:33 PM
It's 40 degrees here this morning, so I tried it when I left:
1. Started the engine, threw it in reverse almost immediately - no hesitation, no dip in RPMs. (started and idled at 1437 RPMs)
2. Backed out of garage/driveway, threw it in drive - no hesitation, no dip in RPMs. (ran at normal 782 RPMs, lowest reading was 571 RPMs)
RPMs were recorded with an AutoTap Diagnostics Test Package, hooked up to my laptop, so I know the readings are dead on.
I think it's just a rare occasion with my car, but I know it has happened a couple of times -- never to the point where I would have thought it would have stalled, though.
dv6cougar
12-30-2002, 07:15 PM
Originally posted by: 01blkcat
It's 40 degrees here this morning, so I tried it when I left:
1. Started the engine, threw it in reverse almost immediately - no hesitation, no dip in RPMs. (started and idled at 1437 RPMs)
2. Backed out of garage/driveway, threw it in drive - no hesitation, no dip in RPMs. (ran at normal 782 RPMs, lowest reading was 571 RPMs)
RPMs were recorded with an AutoTap Diagnostics Test Package, hooked up to my laptop, so I know the readings are dead on.
I think it's just a rare occasion with my car, but I know it has happened a couple of times -- never to the point where I would have thought it would have stalled, though.
when do we see pics and how to on this wonderful laptop set up!
and kyle... good luck.... i would still think it has something to do with it not warning up... my car idles very rough... it's up and down alot.... not sure?
Red2KCougar
12-31-2002, 04:34 AM
Yeah my car idles kinda rough also for the first few secs....
Tonight I installed my AEM intake and had my negative battery terminal off for almost an hour and a half and it cranked up fine, but the car had been running 2hrs before so it was still warm. I'll try to take it out on new years day if it isn't raining, I just washed/wax'd the car yesterday and dont wanna go out in the nasty rain and get it dirty tomorrow :).
Anyway I'll let u guys know...
01blkcat
12-31-2002, 12:03 PM
Originally posted by: Red2KCougar
Yeah my car idles kinda rough also for the first few secs....
Tonight I installed my AEM intake and had my negative battery terminal off for almost an hour and a half and it cranked up fine, but the car had been running 2hrs before so it was still warm. I'll try to take it out on new years day if it isn't raining, I just washed/wax'd the car yesterday and dont wanna go out in the nasty rain and get it dirty tomorrow :).
Anyway I'll let u guys know...
Awww... only have to worry about rain -- come on up here to Buffalo, and you can worry about snow :)
AtomicInternet
12-31-2002, 02:27 PM
How many miles on your car? Since it only happens in drive/reverse, you might want to get your ATX fluid checked as well. If it's over 60,000 and you've never changd the fluid, that might solve your problem.
Red2KCougar
12-31-2002, 09:16 PM
I got 22k on mine :)