92 Cavalier hesitates while decelerating or coming to a stop

Tiny
CAVALIER
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 CHEVROLET TRUCK
Just like the subject says. Chevy Cavalier 160,000k Automatic 4cyl 2.2L

I'll be driving fine until I take my foot off the gas, go around a turn, or apply the break. The car will start to buck and wants to stall. Coming to a full stop will make the car stall unless I put it into neutral. But as soon as I put it into gear, it dies.

I can immediately start it up again with no problem. Until I put it in gear again. Waiting a few minutes will allow me to put it in gear with no problems.

The problem only appears after having driven the car for 20-30 min from a complete cold start. This is the only case I've ever heard where a car runs [i:c77f218c4a]worse[/i:c77f218c4a] once it's been warmed up :lol:

I'm assuming it's the idle air sensor/motor. But what else can I look for before I replace a part I might not need? If it is the idle air sensor, why does it happen after 20 minutes of driving instead of right away?

Check Engine light doesn't come on until [i:c77f218c4a]after[/i:c77f218c4a] the engine dies when all the other instrument lights come on.

Thanks.
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Tuesday, April 18th, 2006 AT 1:34 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
SBALLA
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I had the same problem with my yukon. Try spraying and wiping out the depost in the carb/throdle bodie opening. It worked for me. My truck runs like new now. Carb/throdle bodie spray cost 3-5 dollors at autozone or Orylies. Hope this helps. Might try this before replacing anything. Its a lot cheaper.
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Tuesday, April 18th, 2006 AT 7:15 AM
Tiny
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Ok I did that. Afterward, when I started it again, it reved really high for a few seconds in idle but then came back down to normal. Is that usual after cleaning the throttle body?

So far it seems to have done the trick. I'll post a follow up if anything else changes.

Thanks :D :
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Tuesday, April 18th, 2006 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
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I DONT KNOW IF YOU HAVE EVER USED STARTING FLUID BEFORE BUT THE CARB CLEANER ACTS THE SAME WAY. HELPS IT START AND CLEANS IT AT THE SAME TIME. SO YES THIS IS NORMAL.
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Wednesday, April 19th, 2006 AT 7:38 AM
Tiny
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Well I think I spoke too soon.

My driving was good the other day. The whole day. Alot longer than before I cleaned out the throttle body.

I was almost home and the same thing started up. It just wanted to die. Another thing I've noticed is that when it starts to sputter, holding the gas to the floor does nothing. It's as if I'm not pressing the accelerator at all. I'm hoping it's not the fuel pump.

Any other suggestions? More cleaning??
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Thursday, April 20th, 2006 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
SBALLA
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  • 8 POSTS
I dont know much about cars. But what I do know helps a little I think. I just had this problem last week so I figured I would try to help some people out with the same problem. You never know. Try cleaning again make sure you get behind the little flap. It should be pretty dingy back behind there. If that is spotless then I have no clue. And dont get me lying, im not gonging to say its your fuel pump because I have no clue. But hay take it to auto zone or some place that can do a fuel presure test. Find out what the psi is supose to be and it should tell you if the pump is bad or not. I think.

But hay try using a tooth brush and a rag but dont drop it down the hole.
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Friday, April 21st, 2006 AT 6:42 AM
Tiny
KENVCR
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Can you tell me if you recently had a tune up or let someone else work on your car?

What you can look for is a plug into the side of the transmission. Should be square and 2 wires only.
If this is plugged in do the following:
1) UNPLUG IT.
2) disconnect your battery for a bout 20 minutes.
3) reconnect battery, start car and go for a test drive.
4) DO NOT EVER PLUG THAT LEAD BACK IN, TAPE IT OUT OF THE WAY.

If this is not the problem please repost so we can go to the next step.
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Saturday, April 22nd, 2006 AT 1:11 AM
Tiny
SBALLA
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Here you go someone that knows what there talking about. Sorry I couldent help.
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Saturday, April 22nd, 2006 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
CAVALIER
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  • 16 POSTS
I have recently had my car worked on. But this problem had JUST started right before being serviced.

I recently put a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in and a half a tank of supreme gas. Seems to have done the trick. No stalling. However it feels like it's lacking the power it should be getting from the amount of pedel I'm pushing.

Before I pull any wires, what does that one do actually? And why should I never plug it back in?
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2006 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
SWEET TART
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That wire is for the aotumatic overdrive. Did the Fuel Injector Cleaner really work?
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2006 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
CAVALIER
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Well the combination of the cleaner with the supreme gas seems to have stoped the stalling. It has yet to do it since I put them in.

However I get the feeling it hasn't fixed the problem, just simply prevented the engine from quitting. If you know what I mean.

And gave it half a tank worth of gas. Run it at highway speeds for awhile. Should flush out anything hampering the engine.

Then, on the next fill up, use regular gas and no cleaner. If the car stalls again, then you know it's just a matter of the supreme and cleaner from preventing the stalling. And you'll know it didn't really fix the problem. I have yet to do this myself.
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2006 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
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Well it happened again, despite having a new bottle of injection cleaner and a tank of Ultra.

Removed AOD (automatic overdrive) plug from transmission. Problem persistes.

Fuel pump seems fine as I can hear it turn on with no hesitation.

Car only stutters and stalls after 30-40 min of running. After waiting a few min I can drive again for 30 min before it stalls again.
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Monday, May 1st, 2006 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
RHINOGUY
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This one was just on Car Talk, and my 85 and 94 Cavs both did this. The transmission lockup solenoid is sticking closed. The trans won't let go of the engine when you stop the car. Unplug the lockup solenoid. It's on the lower right side of the trans on the four cylinder and I have no idea where it is on the six.
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Monday, May 1st, 2006 AT 7:51 PM

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