Why would my car just stall?

Sirrel Squirrel · 24 Jan 2006 at 14:03

This has happened a few times now and its always been on the first time I time I start the car on a new day. Now for some reason as I'm driving along and slow down to come to a stop the car will just stall even though I have the clutch down, I then have to turn the key and hold the gas pedal down to get the car started again (and some **** started beeping at me today when I done it even though there was probably about 2 car lengths between me and the car in front :rolleyes:

). Once I get the car started again I can just drive off with no problems until the next day when the process is repeated. :confused:

Morba · 24 Jan 2006 at 14:06

what car?
could be an auto choke problem on start up

Sirrel Squirrel · 24 Jan 2006 at 14:07

It's a 1996 1.6i zetec engine Escort.

iCraig · 24 Jan 2006 at 14:23

Same thing is happening to my car. My battery light comes on as it cuts out, does yours?

So far several mechanics have said it could be

a.) Ignition, induction problem
b.) ECU, idle control valve problem
c.) Fuel filter
d.) Faulty alternator

The battery is fine on mine as it starts first time everytime and, I've even tried starting the car with the lights and heaters on, and the car hardly blinked, lights didn't even dim.

Sirrel Squirrel · 24 Jan 2006 at 14:45

Yeah the battery light does come on as I watch the revs drop from the idle 1000 to 500 and then hit 0 as the battery light comes on. I have a feeling it could be my idle control valve because when stopped at traffic lights or whatever after a while the cars revs keep dropping to about 750 and the car revs to 1000 to keep the car from stalling but it just keeps going up and down.

iCraig · 24 Jan 2006 at 14:49

Mine does that too, especially in the cold.

Not sure how to get to an idle control valve, and even if I did, wouldn't know what to do to sort the problem.

Sirrel Squirrel · 24 Jan 2006 at 14:58

Have you got the same car as me?

Ste · 24 Jan 2006 at 15:08

Mine does that occasionally, usually when I have the heated windscreen etc on. Was mostly when it was really cold at the end of last year, though happened again the other day :/

2.0 zetec focus, get the 1000-500-0 then battery light. Also on some crazy occasions I'll pull up on the drive and it'll get stuck at 2500rpm for 5-6seconds before dropping back down to idle.. wierd!

needmorespeed · 24 Jan 2006 at 15:11

sounds like it could be the idle control valve

kaiowas · 24 Jan 2006 at 15:14

It's normal for the battery light to come on for a short while just before the engine stalls.

It only comes on because at such low revs the alternator is turning really slowly and isn't generating enough output to charge the battery - the charging system sees that the battery isn't being charged and puts the light on to warn you that something is wrong.