Car shuts off when I let off gas pedal

Tiny
HEATHERB0908
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE AVENGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,000 MILES
My car is having a hard time starting, I have the pump the gas pedal to start. After my car is running, whenever I let my foot off the gas to stop at a red light or stop sign my car shuts off. I feel hesitation in the gas pedal when I drive like the car is not getting enough gas. Could it be a egr valve? Its a 99 dodge avenger 2.5 engine
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 AT 5:34 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
EGR won't affect starting. If the battery was recently run dead or disconnected, the Engine Computer won't know when it must be in charge of idle speed until it relearns "minimum throttle". That will cause stalling at stop signs from the engine running too slowly.

Along with that, to get the engine started, you will have to hold the gas pedal down about 1/4 inch. The clue is it won't have the normal "idle flare-up" when you start the engine. That's where it goes rapidly up to 1500 rpm at startup, then down to 800 rpm within one or two seconds.

Caradiodoc
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Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 AT 6:49 PM

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