Engine stalls out after starting, Brake and ABS light come on after restart?

Tiny
RJ STEVENS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
When I start my car, the engine stalls out, after keeping the revs up for a few seconds and letting it settle into idle the car will be fine, but then the brake light and ABS sensor come on and stay on within minute or two. What's wrong?
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 AT 11:49 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Hi,

The stalling could be related to a few things such as a faulty idle air control valve or even an engine vacuum leak. I'm struggling to determine why that would trigger the ABS/brake lamp to turn on.

Have you tried having the computer scanned to see if there are any diagnostic trouble codes stored? In this case, I would recommend the can-bus be scanned.

CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, the different modules are tied together via a few wires. In this case, I would suspect to see codes stored in the ABS module and a traditional scan may not retrieve that.

Here is a link that explains how it's done. Let me know if this is something you can do or have done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
RJ STEVENS2
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  • 1 POST
Hey, thank you for your response, I am going to try and get it down to advance this week to get the computer code readout, I'll update after. How do I test to see why it is stalling out after I crank it and it starts?
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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Hi,

There are a lot of things that can cause it. If we get the codes, that will point us in the right direction for testing.

To give you an idea, here are things that can cause this. There are a lot of them. This is why I'm suggesting having the computer scanned.

Fuel delivery issues - Insufficient fuel reaching the engine can cause stalling upon startup. This may be due to a clogged fuel filter, a failing fuel pump, or a problem with the fuel injectors. A lack of fuel can prevent the engine from running smoothly or sustaining idle.

Ignition system problems - Issues with the ignition system can lead to stalling. Faulty ignition coils, spark plugs, or ignition control modules may result in a weak or inconsistent spark, causing the engine to stall shortly after starting.

Air intake or vacuum leaks - If there are leaks in the air intake system or vacuum hoses, it can disrupt the air-to-fuel mixture required for proper engine operation. This imbalance can cause the engine to stall immediately after starting.

Malfunctioning sensors - Various sensors in the engine control system, such as the mass airflow sensor (MAF), throttle position sensor (TPS), or crankshaft position sensor (CKP), provide crucial data for the engine's operation. If any of these sensors are faulty or send incorrect signals, the engine may not receive the right information to run properly, leading to stalling.

Engine control module (ECM) issues - The ECM, also known as the engine computer, controls various functions of the engine. If the ECM is malfunctioning or has corrupted programming, it may not properly regulate the engine's performance, resulting in stalling.

Mechanical problems - Certain mechanical issues, such as a malfunctioning idle air control valve (IAC), a stuck throttle plate, or a problem with the timing belt or chain, can cause stalling soon after starting the engine.

The list goes on. LOL Let me know what is found and I should be able to point you in the right direction for testing.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 7:33 PM

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