1999 Chevy Astro Hesitation/Stalling upon deceleration

BRUCON2000

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
10,100 MILES

Am probably rephrasing the question my son in NYC has already asked, but here goes.

Acquired 99 astro van in Sept 07, which stalled at stop lights, and ran rough. Took it to shop #1. Replaced the distributor, cap, wires, plugs, egr valve. Ran fine for about a week, started running rough, they then replaced the distributor again, it ran fine for a while, then stalled in the driveway, left it till the ice thawed in March 08. After staring and stalling again had it towed to shop #2. Replaced the coil. And fuel filter. Ran fine for 2 weeks, then stalled again. I swapped the Air Mass flow meter from my 03 Buick Rendevous, and a few small vacuum hoses that were dry rotted (the heater/blower worked after that fix), shop #2 replaced the Idle Air Control Motor, & tweeked the distributor, and 2 weeks later after stalling, they replaced the fuel pump module. Ran fine for a while, and my son took it from IN to NYC with no problems. It now is stalling at stops, and restarts fine, but he as to be wary any time he decelerates or it will stall. A GM shop ran diagnostics, and wanted to replace AirMass Flow again, no change, It's now still stalling, and we are clueless. Please advise.
It does have a power brake assist installed by previous owner, and an after market remote start. Just in case any of this helps.

Pharmaceutically Yours;

Bruce RPh

5 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

Does the brake pedal get hard when slowing down like he is losing power assist? What happens if he is idling and steps on brake, does it stall or stumble and want to stall? When slowing down and before it stalls can he catch it by stepping on gas and brake at the same time or does it stall no matter what?

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Friday, June 27th, 2008 AT 8:42 PM

BRUCON2000

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4 POSTS

My son says the pedal doesn't change, but he does have to feather the gas peddle, while stepping on the brake to stop it from dying, when he's decelerating to a stop, or close to stop. He also noted that it almost always dies while idling after he first starts car, and lets it sit a time, instead of moving right away. I then restarts fine, then runs ok, until he has to slow down for a stop.

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Saturday, June 28th, 2008 AT 6:17 PM

BRUCON2000

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4 POSTS

Latest Update: My son called me last night from the freeway in New Jersey, where the 99 Astro Van stalled after taking foot off the gas pedal at 60 mph, and would not restart. Had to be towed. It could not be restarted. Tow driver mentioned that it might be the keyless ignition switch shorting out. And that the trailer brake assist is probably not the problem, but he recommends removing it and all it's wiring, just in case a wire is shorting out.
This is very disturbing to us, and I am loosing faith in the diagnostic system. Sorry;

Bruce
P>S> FYI the horn stopped working recently. I forgot to mention this!

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Sunday, June 29th, 2008 AT 12:37 PM

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

Now that its dead it will be easier to figure out. Have junior remove the dog house or engine cover and lets check for spark, if it has spark try spraying starter fluid into intake and see if it runs.

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Monday, June 30th, 2008 AT 7:28 PM

BRUCON2000

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4 POSTS

My son just called and said they found the crank position sensor was loose, and after fixiing it and cleaning the connections, the car seems to run great. Hope this works.