Dies at Stop Sign

[greg.larsen]

My daughter has a Geo Metro 1994. She tells me that sometimes when she pulls up to a stop sign, and stops the engine dies. She is able to just restart and continue on. What might cause the motor to periodically die when idling?

[geozukigti]

If it's an automatic, it's most likely a faulty speed sensor in the transmission. It doesn't allow the torque converter to un-lock when stopping. If it's a stick, tell her to press the clutch . If it's just idling low, there's an idle adjust screw on the drivers side of the intake, right under the air filter cowl. It will have a rubber cap on it. turn it a little to the left to raise the idle to 800rpm while stopped in drive. If it's a badly worn engine, 1000rpm while stopped in drive.

[greg.larsen]

Originally Posted by geozukigti

If it's an automatic, it's most likely a faulty speed sensor in the transmission. It doesn't allow the torque converter to un-lock when stopping. If it's a stick, tell her to press the clutch . If it's just idling low, there's an idle adjust screw on the drivers side of the intake, right under the air filter cowl. It will have a rubber cap on it. turn it a little to the left to raise the idle to 800rpm while stopped in drive. If it's a badly worn engine, 1000rpm while stopped in drive.

It is an automatic. If it is the speed sensor, would it die evertime you stop, or only once in a while. Seems to only die once and a while. Is there a good way to determine if the torque converter is unlocking when stopped?

Sounds like boosting the idle might be an easy fix. I'll see if this makes the problem go away.

[geozukigti]

Well, a faulty sensor can be intermittent. Also, when was the last time the car got a new trans filter and fluid flush?

[greg.larsen]

Originally Posted by geozukigti

Well, a faulty sensor can be intermittent. Also, when was the last time the car got a new trans filter and fluid flush?

I just got the care, so one can only guess on the filter and flush. The car only has 71000 miles, so how often might this filter change and flush need to occur.

[geozukigti]

To keep it healthy, I would do it every 36,000 miles. 50,000 is pushing the limit.