Idle/Stall problem

[spock2001us]

I want to blow up my car, but I will give this forum a chance to save it.

For a while now, my car will stall from time to time. It does not happen all the time, I can go several days or a week without any problems, then suddenly I start the car and it will stall 3 or 4 times before it will hold an idle. When there are problems, it will start, only to stall when maneuvering slowly in a parking lot or backing out of the driveway. It does not seem to matter whether the engine is cold or hot, but it seams to happen more when the engine is hot, like after you stop at the store, then restart a few minutes later, and it wants to stall.

When my car starts and runs normally it holds an idle about 700 or so, but when it has problems it drops below 500 and stalls....which is typically when the steering or brakes (maneuvering or backing in the driveway) wants to kill the idle.

I have done no major mods and I have replaced most of the usual things such as a new TB with IAC and TPS (I think that is what it is called) and a new MAF and sensor. Also a new coil, plugs, wires, etc. I have the timing at 10 and lots of ping unless I use 93 gas.

So what gives?......my engine has 140k, so is it maybe an idle speed adjustment?.....I thought the IAC took care of that and I did not have to do anything manually. I've done nothing with the EGR and I read that a bad EGR may make things stall and ping....

I want help now, before I totally give up.

Thanks

 

[spock2001us]

Also, when it is stalling and restarting, I get a pretty good gas smell...not sure from where, but it is certainly smelly.

 

[HISSIN50]

As I recall, the IAC does not compensate for PS or brakes on a 5.0L (the motor is supposed to have enough juice to not need compensation at idle - as opposed to 4 bangers which do often have IAC assistance).

Absent other issues (like a vac leak, etc), I might simply adjust the idle setting. Note all your measurements so you can go back to how you have it now if needed.

Good luck.

 

[spock2001us]

Thanks Hissin...

I will give the idle speed a try....I have seen your link on this board explaining how to do it...I will also look for a vacuum leak, but I have no idea where to start....I will take a look on this board to see what to do.

Thanks again.

 

[red95gtconvert]

My stalling problem ended up being a broken vacuum hose under the upper intake, I replaced the hose and all is well again.

 

[HISSIN50]

Nice work getting it fixed!

Some time when you're bored, it's not a bad idea to replace most of the vac lines under the hood. When you do this, pull the passenger fender liner and check your charcoal cannister lines. I wouldn't be surprised if they're cracked, which can give you a gas smell. The purge line exits the cannister and goes past the self test connector in the engine bay, to the purge solenoid and to the back of the engine - I'd replace that whole run of lines for the possible gas smell issue.



Oh, a vac leak can cause you to run a little lean, ergo ping. Not that this is a fix for you, but it probably wasnt helping.

Again, glad to hear you got it fixed!

 

[lamrith]

I am having similar issues, My car is pingning badly ~3500-4k+rpm under moderate load (not WOT). My idle is also below 1000hovering closer to the 500rpm mark and she almost dies REALLY easy when reversing or starting in 1st gear mellow. It acts like it is surging which I have heard is an issue with the 94/95's. I have only had the car 4mos, only changes I know of is a removed airbox and K&N filter install. I checked timing, rock solid 10* The pingingin is my biggest concern as it seems to be getint stronger and most noticable when she is at full temp.

 

[JP95GT]

I am having a similar problem with my car and also want to blow it up. Its being going on for a long time and keeps getting worse. I replaced the distributor, ignition module, plugs, wires, MAF and Ignition coil. After I replaced the ignition coil it stopped doing it for about 3 weeks and then started up again. It usually happens when I have driven the car and then stop to get gas or something and then turn it on again. It stalls and smells like gas and backfires pretty bad which makes me think I'm not getting enough spark but I've replaced almost every ignition part. If you get the problem fixed please let me know cause its driving me nuts.