1993 Geo Storm Engine dies when it warms up

Tiny
CJNEPER
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 GEO STORM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
My Geo starts and runs fine until the engine gets warm, then it dies. Once it cools down, it starts and runs fine again until warm. It seemed like it might be a fuel or oxygen sensor problem, so I did a diagnostic test on the memory but there were no fault codes stored in the system. Any ideas?
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 AT 9:57 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Check your "idle air control" valve. It may be carboned up or not functioning. Sounds like it is stuck in the open position where the engine will run ok when it's cold, but is getting too much air when it's warm. Also, check for vacuum leaks around the intake manifold area.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 AT 1:20 AM
Tiny
CJNEPER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
James,
I am checking the idle air control valve, but I do not know how to check if it is functioning. The manual says to "apply voltage" to the valve to see if the pintle retracts. What exactly does that mean? How do I apply voltage to the valve?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 2nd, 2009 AT 2:24 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
I need to know which IAC you have. Does the wiring harness plug directly into the IAC, or is there a short pigtail attached to it that plugs into a harness? I'm looking for letters or #s on the connector. Rither A, B, C & D, or 1, 2, 3 & 4. Let me know and I can tell you which terms and how to test.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 2nd, 2009 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
CJNEPER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The four wire harness plugs directly into the IAC and has the letters ABCD on it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 2nd, 2009 AT 9:12 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
OK, just what I needed. Remove the IAC from the manifold. If you put ground to terminal A on the IAC and 12 volts to term B, the pointed "pintle" valve should move out or in. Ground to term C and 12 volts to term D should move the pintle the opposite way. If the valve just jerks and doesn't move or buzzes, the valve is bad.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, January 2nd, 2009 AT 10:10 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
VIDEO
Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE