unknown stalling problem

[chevyguy93]

Sofar this car has been great to me. Today i drove a short distance to a store. As i was pulling out, there is a steep ramp you have to go down. I stopped on the ramp to check for cars coming, and the car stalled. I put it in park, started it back up, and drove away fine. I didnt really think anything about it. I figured it was just because i was sitting on a steep decline.

A few hours ago I pulled into a parking lot, turned around a corner, and slowed down to let a car pass. The car then seemed to rev up a bit, then slow right down, then rev back up. Even with my foot on the brake, the car shook a bit and moved forward. This has got me really puzzled, and I cannot figure the problem out. I know its not the solenoid in the transmission because I just replaced it a few months ago. And it happens when in first or second gear.

Its a 93, 4cyl. Any suggestions?

[Cavalier2000]

how is your fuel filter

[chevyguy93]

fuel filter is good. i just replaced it in the middle of summer.

[chevyguy93]

Okay, i did some searching and ive come up with a few things from this forum. Let me know if I should do check these things or replace them

1. spark plug wires - possibly arking?
2. egr valve?
3. tps or map sensor ?

[chevyguy93]

ok so it happened again today. was parallel parking, and when in drive with the brakes on, the engines rpms went up a bit, the car lurched forward, and the rpms dropped as if it was going to stall, then came back up. whats causing this?

[Cavalier2000]

tps maybe? does it feel like it is "surging"

[booyeanoskie]

Clean up the throttle cable, maybe it's sticking. Other than that, it might be EGR related. Also, check your battery/alternator.

[chevyguy93]

I guess you can describe it as a surging. I took the tps off yesterday and looked at it and the wires, it seemed okay. And I dont think its the throttle cable sticking. I will check that after though to make sure. My alternator was bought last year, so its fairly new, same with the battery. I have been having problems with the battery, the post broke. So every now and then you have to wiggle the cable to get it started. But that shouldnt affect it much, since the car can run without the battery when its started.

And another thing. A few days ago i noticed a squeaking noise coming from under the hood. Today I took a look, but couldnt determine exactly what was making it. It is coming from the side where the belt is. it goes 'squeak squeak squeak'. Maybe is it the water pump? Is it perhaps seizing? and then slowing down the belt and stalling the car?

[Cavalier2000]

or a bad belt, and change that battery, if you run with the battery off too much you blow your alt, damn new school. some of the touchy alt's as soon as it is rrunning and you pull the battery, you blow the alt.

[chevyguy93]

really?

Well. i bought this battery last year from canadian tire (which now i regret) for around 100$ canadian. Its the top of the line one. During the winter, i went to start my car and nothing happened. I heard my alarm module clicking, which didnt make sense. So days went by and i had the car ripped apart trying to find the problem, because it was as if something was shorting out. My dad happened to jiggle some wires under the hood that lead to the battery, and the lights started flickering. We then saw that the post on the battery was broken, and it was wobbling. My dad then did something to help it a bit, but every now and then I have to get out and wiggle the cable to start it.
I got the extended warranty, so all i have to do is take it back and they will give me another one. Do you think this would solve my problem though?

P.S. dont buy canadian tire batteries. My grandpa has even gone through 4 within the past year because they wont stay charged.

[alpine1]

i believe that car has mass air flow sensor it could be going bad had that happen with my pontiac 6000 ste and another cavalier

[chevyguy93]

It doesnt have a mass air-flow sensor. Well, not that i know of.

[Cavalier2000]

yea trade in that battery, though i don't think that is your problem, but it's not good

[alpine1]

does the computer give any codes ?

[chevyguy93]

no it doesnt unfortunately. Through all the problems i've had, my check engine light has never come on... which sucks when it comes to finding the problem. The only time my light came on was when I was under the hood and forgot to plug back in an oxygen sensor.