Stalls at idle?

check idle air control valve

is the check engine light on

Roy

yes engine light is on

have the code pulled at a parts store for free and get the code number for us

Roy

I tried to take it to advanced auto, now it wont even go into gear

You are not able to shift into gear or when shifting into gear it does not move?

stick or automatic

Roy

So I've been having trouble with my car and I really hope you can help me figure it out.
While I'm driving and shift gears mainly when I'm slowing down my car just shuts off completely. Only when I'm rolling, in neutral or have the clutch pushed all the way in. This has been going on for a while. I replaced the distributor, alternator, rack and pinion, I check my fluids to make sure they are good, yet I still can't figure out why my car turns off like this. It doesn't jerk in anyway when it turns off it just turns off quietly and steadily. Please help, I have a baby on the way and want to get this fixed.

Hello,

It can be one of two things; either you have a vacuum leak or the throttle body needs to be serviced. here is a guide to help us fix the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Please run down this guide and report back.

Awesome that you replied. Yah me and my dad are thinking a vacuum leak. How do I add a video? Reminder the engine light is not on and it's not throwing up any codes what so ever.

Did it work?

Yes it works. thanks for the videos. Lets run the codes to see what comes up. How is the power from the engine? I clogged exhaust can case this as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and this service can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Please run down these guides and report back.

We changed out the fuel filter.

Did that work? Did the engine have low power?

It did work. I does still turn off like once a day though. We changed the fuel filter and cleaned out the throttle body.

The engine does not have low power and they had the tighten up the idling. We did replace the idle air control valve a while back too.

The engine does not have low power and they had the tighten up the idling. We did replace the idle air control valve a while back too. What about a old PCV valve?

Yes the PCV valve can cause the issue you describe. Here is the location in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

We located the PCV valve behind the oil filter. we couldn't get to it through the top so we went through the bottom and that's how we got to it.

Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Electrical problem
1997 Honda Civic 4 cyl Automatic 160000 miles

Car intermittently stalls at idle. Battery light comes on. The battery is new and mechanics replaced the alternator last week to try to resolve the problem. But the car stalled again this morning. The car does not run rough prior to stalling and the idle is smooth. Stalling only happens while driving at very low speeds, or when preparing to accelerate from a stop. Has happened about a dozen times over the past month and at various times of the day/night. Mechanics cannot find anything wrong with the electrical system (they've checked everything twice). They've driven the car for long periods of time to try to make it stall, but (of course) it doesn't stall on them. The engine light does NOT come on, just the battery light. The car could usually be restarted immediately after stalling out, but this a.m., it took three attempts before I could get the car to run again.

Help, please.

I am having the same problem. Now my battery light stays on all the time. When the car finally stalls, the battery light goes away, the key light comes on and my RPM gauge stops working. The mechanic at the local honda dealer told me to replace the harness. I replaced it and I am still having the same problem.

my 1996 Honda Civic started to die at idle the other day but only after it warms up,so when i'm in traffic it dies most of the time at stop lights but after the engine warms up...whats wrong with it?JCL

Otherwise it runs fine? Check all of the basics. Pull the plug wires off one at a time and look at the plug well for oil. Should not be any. Check the air filter and clean or replace.

If you lightly apply pressure at the gas pedal will it keep running fine. You have not mentioned if it is a manual or an automatic. Light pressure works?

the car is a 5-speed-if the car dies at a stop sign i can restart it no problem and it will idle fine just as long as i do not break idle with my foot on the gas pedal and if i do break idle it will idle bad and then usually die...any other ideas??

I still don't have it. You ARE supporting the idle at a stop with you foot on the accelerator, right?

I am going to run with that. So, what is the lowest rpm it idles nicely at with assist from your foot. If it idles at about 750 to 800 rpm that is where it should be. Given that everything else is in good shape you could adjust the idle speed up to match that position. Screw is located on the throttle body.

well i adjusted the idle up at the throttle body with the small set screw and locknut,and it works much better but what caused the change in the first place,the idle screw was tight???John

Sensors are constantly sending information to the computer and it tries to adjust for them. You may have one such as an O2 that is beginning to age. It will manifest itself. What is the rpm that it is idling at now when it is warm? Under 1000 and possibly around 800 or 900?

the car does'nt have tach and neither do i,so i went on sound,it seems to be right where it should be,i'm sure it must be a an O2 sending weal signals...thanks for the help.John