I get to a red light or stop sign my car dies on me?

2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
13,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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MIKELAB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I just starting to have this problem when i drive my car everything is fine but when i get to a red light or stop sign my car dies on me . i have notice too is that when i re-start the car the headlights are very low but when i drive they come very bright .
Dec 17, 2007 at 12:46 PM
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SQM
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

This also could happened due to a number reasons, it could be due to a vacuum leak, faulty idle air control valve, dirty throttle body etc.

Here is a helpful guide:

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

Cleaning out the idle air control valve and the throttle body can improve the idle quality. Which might be a good idea to do as this improve overall performance of the engine.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

This can also happen due to a weak alternator. If it is the alternator it will drain the battery and the engine will not start.
Test the alternator output to the battery.

Take a look at this guide. It cover on how to test the alternator.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator


I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Dec 18, 2021 at 6:27 PM
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