Car cuts off when I brake at stop lights

Tiny
JEBROOKS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SATURN SL2
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Car runs fine until I stop at stop signs or intersections.
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Thursday, November 15th, 2018 AT 5:32 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
JONNYB1963
  • MECHANIC
  • 252 POSTS
Good morning, and welcome to 2CarPros!

It sounds to me like you might have an Idle Air Control Valve that is getting weak in its old age.

See the links below:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-idle-air-control-valve-works
and
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

Hope this helps you out!

Jon
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Thursday, November 15th, 2018 AT 7:43 AM
Tiny
JEBROOKS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I have got it narrowed down to the ECTS or the IAC. But just to give back ground I was driving and my car lost power and started shaking really bad almost put putting. I was told it was the catalytic converter. So I changed the whole exhaust. Then changed plugs wires and coils, still shaking. So I changed mounts. I could not get one off so I took it to Firestone. They changed it (I live less than five minutes away) left it over night. Picked up my car stopped at the store across from my house came out put it in gear. Car cuts off repeatedly. They come get it. Say my fuel injectors were loose. They pushed them back on and the car runs fine. So I crank it no shaking and the car sounds great. I get to my turn and boom stalling like I am out of gas. I do t make a fuss because the car sounds the way it should. I look under the hood one of the injectors is leaking gas. I have since changed it but none of this was happening before I took it there. I could at least drive it. All of this has been since July until right now. I have the ects I am hoping it is that and not the IAC. Anyway thanks. Only thing I have not changed is the starter. Darn near new engine at this point.
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Thursday, November 15th, 2018 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
JEBROOKS
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  • 8 POSTS
Firestone kept it over night both times. There were only two bolts I could not get loose. So I had them do it they said that is all they did but my car was not doing this before. I assume when they jacked up the motor they went too far and popped the injector loose. But it is obvious they did more than just take off two bolts and switch the mount. Like they said and by the way if anyone has a no crank no spark situation. Check the pink wire on the harness under the coil packs. That is where your issue is.
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Thursday, November 15th, 2018 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
JEBROOKS
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  • 8 POSTS
Johnyb1963, changed cleaned and it still does it.
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Saturday, November 17th, 2018 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Does it stall only when coming up to a stop after driving for while? Hot or cold? Lets run the codes to see whats comes up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
JEBROOKS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Johnyb1963 changed cleaned and it still does it.
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Wednesday, November 21st, 2018 AT 6:06 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can hear and see what is going on? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Also, have you run the codes?
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+1
Friday, November 23rd, 2018 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
JEBROOKS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The only time a code was thrown was the first day it happened in July. It was a fourth gear code. That i's when the mechanic told me it was the catalytic converter. Long story short; I have changed everything except the starter at this point. But it did not start soon this until I got it back from Firestone after they changed the mount on the bottom passenger side. They insist they only changed the mount. They messed up one of my injectors so bad it was pouring gas. I have replaced it. I do not know what they did but the car was drivable before I took it there. Now I cannot go more than a few feet. My guess is they saw all the new stuff I put on the car and tampered with something I had not changed yet to get me to come back. They mentioned seeing the new parts. Like I said the car was drivable before. It Just was shaking really bad. Now it will not go anywhere without stalling.
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Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 AT 7:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
It sounds like you have a blown head gasket between two cylinders but to be sure lets do a compression test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

This guide can help as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 9:10 AM

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