Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
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Rep Power: 244 Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the long paragraph that's about to come...
This happened last night with my 01 ex auto. I started the car earlier that morning and drove it without any problems. Later on that night, I tried to start it but every time I start the car it'll stall. It'll crank for 2 times, fire up but then just stops. Check engine light stayed on and so did the oil light.(Not sure if it turns off after awhile). Another problem I had was with the key releasing after I park. Sometimes I would need to play with the shifter when I'm already in Park in order to pull the key out. I wanted to try other ways to see if the car would start and keep running. So I applied pressure to the gas pedal while starting the car and it turned on (with a quick spike in RPMs of course) but it'll run as long as I apply pressure to the gas pedal. If i take it off, after a second or two it'll stall again.
Sparknotes:
1) Car fires up perfectly fine but stalls after it starts.
2) Dash light stays on (only battery and oil)
3) Key is hard to take out (at times) without playing with shifter.
Researched some solutions that I may think applies:
1) Change ignition switch and/or key cylinder
2) Main Relay is bad
3) Fuel Pump
4) Immobilizer (cant be this though since car starts)
5) Try another key (tried it already)
There's a few more solutions I read about but the ones I stated seems to be occurring the most.
If anyone has experience, please shed some light. Thanks for reading!
This happened last night with my 01 ex auto. I started the car earlier that morning and drove it without any problems. Later on that night, I tried to start it but every time I start the car it'll stall. It'll crank for 2 times, fire up but then just stops. Check engine light stayed on and so did the oil light.(Not sure if it turns off after awhile). Another problem I had was with the key releasing after I park. Sometimes I would need to play with the shifter when I'm already in Park in order to pull the key out. I wanted to try other ways to see if the car would start and keep running. So I applied pressure to the gas pedal while starting the car and it turned on (with a quick spike in RPMs of course) but it'll run as long as I apply pressure to the gas pedal. If i take it off, after a second or two it'll stall again.
Sparknotes:
1) Car fires up perfectly fine but stalls after it starts.
2) Dash light stays on (only battery and oil)
3) Key is hard to take out (at times) without playing with shifter.
Researched some solutions that I may think applies:
1) Change ignition switch and/or key cylinder
2) Main Relay is bad
3) Fuel Pump
4) Immobilizer (cant be this though since car starts)
5) Try another key (tried it already)
There's a few more solutions I read about but the ones I stated seems to be occurring the most.
If anyone has experience, please shed some light. Thanks for reading!
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
i double checked it once i saw the light. Added a lil more just in case. Sits level on the dipstick.
But even then, i don't think it'll keep turning my car off and stalling every single time
But even then, i don't think it'll keep turning my car off and stalling every single time
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Rep Power: 260 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
Checked all your grounds?
I need to think, I've seen someone with this problem before and they posted the solution, just need to remember exactly what that was..
I need to think, I've seen someone with this problem before and they posted the solution, just need to remember exactly what that was..
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
I have power in my battery because it cranks and starts, starter should be fine since it started, I hear the fuel pump priming when I turn the key to II, and my car runs If i keep the gas pedal depressed....
im stumped....
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
I can stay its exactly like this:
[autostream]http://autostream.com/ibcivicforums/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=1113& transactionid=1322604774-13823149102&posted_by=qijian_www.civicforums.com&y outube_video_id=jPO7ebQEQho[/autostream]
i'll post a personal vid of mine tonight
and i think his solution was a main relay..
[autostream]http://autostream.com/ibcivicforums/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=1113& transactionid=1322604774-13823149102&posted_by=qijian_www.civicforums.com&y outube_video_id=jPO7ebQEQho[/autostream]
i'll post a personal vid of mine tonight
and i think his solution was a main relay..
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Mrstreebark (11-27-2020)
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
i believe that may be part of my problems. I haven't cleaned it since I owned this car, or anything in that manner with carb cleaner. I was planning to clean the IAC, PCV, VTEC solenoid, EGR while I'm at it.
also.... come to think of it.. I have been hearing loud air suction noises when I accelerate hard on the fwy... maybe I do have a vacuum leak...
how do you check for vacuum leaks? and which one are vacuum lines....? Or should I just inspect anything rubber in my engine bay?
Another thing is.... after I turn my car off... I can hear a slow air release/ or suction sound... I haven't heard this before but I think It may have caused my prob... its different than the typical CAI or SRI sound after you turn off the car...
also.... come to think of it.. I have been hearing loud air suction noises when I accelerate hard on the fwy... maybe I do have a vacuum leak...
how do you check for vacuum leaks? and which one are vacuum lines....? Or should I just inspect anything rubber in my engine bay?
Another thing is.... after I turn my car off... I can hear a slow air release/ or suction sound... I haven't heard this before but I think It may have caused my prob... its different than the typical CAI or SRI sound after you turn off the car...
Last edited by qijian; 11-29-2011 at 04:40 PM.
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Rep Power: 260 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
The simple diy method of checking for vacuum leaks is spraying car cleaner directly at the possibly points where there's a leak, if you hit on a leak when you spray the carb cleaner it will be sucked into the engine and cause it to rev up a bit.
I've used a smoke pen with great success, just moving it around the engine bay and watching to see if the smoke disappears into any connections, but I have one for work so the carb cleaner method is probably the best option you have.
I've used a smoke pen with great success, just moving it around the engine bay and watching to see if the smoke disappears into any connections, but I have one for work so the carb cleaner method is probably the best option you have.
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
Only problem for me is that I have to press on the gas pedal to keep my car from stalling. Car wouldn't even idle if i'm off the gas. If I do the carb spray style, do you think I can achieve the same results even though I'm on the other end pressing the pedal consistently?
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Rep Power: 269 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
Typically, a bad/dirty IAC valve will cause your idle to fluctuate, not kill it.
Some FYI on the Main Relay:
It's a dual relay. The first relay powers up the computer and supplies power for the second relay. Once the computer is powered up, it will ground the second relay, which supplies power to the fuel pump. There are three conditions that will cause the computer to activate the fuel-pump half of the main relay:
* When the key is turned on, the computer will run the fuel pump for two seconds.
* When the starter is engaged.
* When there is a tach signal to the computer.
From my experience, main relay issues are intermittent and/or heat related.
Some FYI on the Main Relay:
It's a dual relay. The first relay powers up the computer and supplies power for the second relay. Once the computer is powered up, it will ground the second relay, which supplies power to the fuel pump. There are three conditions that will cause the computer to activate the fuel-pump half of the main relay:
* When the key is turned on, the computer will run the fuel pump for two seconds.
* When the starter is engaged.
* When there is a tach signal to the computer.
From my experience, main relay issues are intermittent and/or heat related.
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shubba (08-18-2022)
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
Typically, a bad/dirty IAC valve will cause your idle to fluctuate, not kill it.
Some FYI on the Main Relay:
It's a dual relay. The first relay powers up the computer and supplies power for the second relay. Once the computer is powered up, it will ground the second relay, which supplies power to the fuel pump. There are three conditions that will cause the computer to activate the fuel-pump half of the main relay:
* When the key is turned on, the computer will run the fuel pump for two seconds.
* When the starter is engaged.
* When there is a tach signal to the computer.
From my experience, main relay issues are intermittent and/or heat related.
Some FYI on the Main Relay:
It's a dual relay. The first relay powers up the computer and supplies power for the second relay. Once the computer is powered up, it will ground the second relay, which supplies power to the fuel pump. There are three conditions that will cause the computer to activate the fuel-pump half of the main relay:
* When the key is turned on, the computer will run the fuel pump for two seconds.
* When the starter is engaged.
* When there is a tach signal to the computer.
From my experience, main relay issues are intermittent and/or heat related.
BTW i saw my CEL flash 5 times when I was in II (before I started the engine). I read somewhere about 5 blinks = TPS ??? hmm..
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Rep Power: 210 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
5 flashes is the startup self diagnostic- perfectly normal.
You need to check:
1. spark plugs
2. air filter
3. fuel pressure
4. vacuum leaks
With that said, take it down to Autozone and have them scan it for codes (it's free). Post back with any specific codes.
You need to check:
1. spark plugs
2. air filter
3. fuel pressure
4. vacuum leaks
With that said, take it down to Autozone and have them scan it for codes (it's free). Post back with any specific codes.
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
In the meantime, here's a vid of my car at startup:
http://youtu.be/eIe-occnlYI
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Rep Power: 229 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
I see that your CEL is not on when the car is running however you may be able to still check stored codes.
I would say check for vaccum leaks is your best bet. Since your car turns off so fast I would say its a nice size leak and easy to find.
Have some one get in the car and start it while holding the gas to keep it running.
Then get under the hood with the car running and see if you can listen for it. If not start spraying carb cleaner around the area like throttle body gasket and intake manifold, all vaccum hoses. If the idle changes then stop you have found your problem.
I would say check for vaccum leaks is your best bet. Since your car turns off so fast I would say its a nice size leak and easy to find.
Have some one get in the car and start it while holding the gas to keep it running.
Then get under the hood with the car running and see if you can listen for it. If not start spraying carb cleaner around the area like throttle body gasket and intake manifold, all vaccum hoses. If the idle changes then stop you have found your problem.
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
I see that your CEL is not on when the car is running however you may be able to still check stored codes.
I would say check for vaccum leaks is your best bet. Since your car turns off so fast I would say its a nice size leak and easy to find.
Have some one get in the car and start it while holding the gas to keep it running.
Then get under the hood with the car running and see if you can listen for it. If not start spraying carb cleaner around the area like throttle body gasket and intake manifold, all vaccum hoses. If the idle changes then stop you have found your problem.
I would say check for vaccum leaks is your best bet. Since your car turns off so fast I would say its a nice size leak and easy to find.
Have some one get in the car and start it while holding the gas to keep it running.
Then get under the hood with the car running and see if you can listen for it. If not start spraying carb cleaner around the area like throttle body gasket and intake manifold, all vaccum hoses. If the idle changes then stop you have found your problem.
Thanks for all the replies so far guys!
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly...
FOUND MY SOLUTION!!!
I had some help from a fellow Socal 7thgen member and he told me to start the car and hold the revs at 3k until the car warmed up. It took about 5 mins for the temperature needle to jump to normal. Car stalled after I let go. THEN when i cranked the car again afterwards, the engine turned over like a boss and it idled at 700 rpm. This procedure was to help your ECU "relearn" idle according to the Haynes manual after you disconnect your battery.... and it did it for me.
Now my car idles better than ever (actually sits at 700rpm instead of my old 1000 rpm). Once I have time ima still clean out all the stuff like IACV, EGR, PCV blah blah and do a complete tune up. Things get scary sometimes and I'm happy I have the forums for help. Stealership would've charged me unnecessarily to change some random **** so Thanks everyone that helped me out!!
THANKYOU ELCENTROBABY!!!
I had some help from a fellow Socal 7thgen member and he told me to start the car and hold the revs at 3k until the car warmed up. It took about 5 mins for the temperature needle to jump to normal. Car stalled after I let go. THEN when i cranked the car again afterwards, the engine turned over like a boss and it idled at 700 rpm. This procedure was to help your ECU "relearn" idle according to the Haynes manual after you disconnect your battery.... and it did it for me.
Now my car idles better than ever (actually sits at 700rpm instead of my old 1000 rpm). Once I have time ima still clean out all the stuff like IACV, EGR, PCV blah blah and do a complete tune up. Things get scary sometimes and I'm happy I have the forums for help. Stealership would've charged me unnecessarily to change some random **** so Thanks everyone that helped me out!!
THANKYOU ELCENTROBABY!!!
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Rep Power: 210 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
You're kidding me!? I've never heard of the idle re-learn fixing that bad of an idle. Crazy. Just goes to show- simple things first. Glad to hear you got it going.
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Rep Power: 229 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
I was thinking the exact same thing. I am still suspecting an underlying cause besides an idle relearn. Maybe an intermitant electrical problem?
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Rep Power: 244 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
Hopefully my thread here will help someone down the line too because I spent tons of time reading other peoples threads
yupp thanks!!
yupp i'm glad i relied on forums before mechanics
possibly, i did wash my car that day so maybeeee something possibly got interrupted somehowww and it caused the madness. In the end, hopefully this is a permanent fix to my problems
possibly, i did wash my car that day so maybeeee something possibly got interrupted somehowww and it caused the madness. In the end, hopefully this is a permanent fix to my problems
#23
Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
So lets back this bad boy up.... I took my TB off and cleaned my IACV yesterday and it seemed fine after that. Woke up to go to work last night and it was doing the exact same thing yours was doing in the video. I had to hold down the gas so it wouldnt die but once it warmed up some it went away and was great.
Im going to try this trick but first I need to get a new TB gasket and see if that helps... Silly me put the old one back on If that doesnt help my cold start problem Im going to reset the ecu and try this Idle relearn trick.
BTW mine is a 99 LX 5speed if that matters?
Im going to try this trick but first I need to get a new TB gasket and see if that helps... Silly me put the old one back on If that doesnt help my cold start problem Im going to reset the ecu and try this Idle relearn trick.
BTW mine is a 99 LX 5speed if that matters?
#24
Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
Man, I hate to bump a super old thread, but today my 2001 Honda Civic LX did EXACTLY this. The battery is quite old on it (over 5 years), and it has been giving me some problems in the past year. But, it still recently tested good but was told it should probably be replaced. Anyways, I was in the parking lot and started the car. The car started up then quickly died out. I started it again, and every time it would just immediately die out unless I gave it gas. With gas, the car was able to maintain throttle. I was like WTF? I thought maybe the battery, but that didn't make sense since the car started fine. And, it was able to maintain throttle fine without stuttering. But, since the battery has been giving me problem in the past year, I figured I would just keep it revved above 2k rpms to charge up the battery. I kept the car throttled for about 3 minutes, then let go of the throttle to see if the car would idle. It just promptly died. ****! So, I busted out the ODB2 scanner and plugged it in. I started the app, and I had to turn on the ignition to get the ODB2 to get diagnostics. I decided to start the car and reproduce the error condition, but lo and behold, the car started idling fine. Wow, that was bizarre. I carefully drove my car home worrying about it dying in the middle of the road. Got it home, went to Walmart, and got a new battery. I changed out the battery and now the car idles better. Back to around 1k rpm idle.
Anyways, I'm kind of wondering now. How often do people change their batteries on their cars? It seems right around 4 years, I start having problems with my battery. I often change around 5 years. Also, my car is nearing 20 years old. Should I look at replacing the alternator?
Anyways, I'm kind of wondering now. How often do people change their batteries on their cars? It seems right around 4 years, I start having problems with my battery. I often change around 5 years. Also, my car is nearing 20 years old. Should I look at replacing the alternator?
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Rep Power: 154 Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
The most I get from a new Honda battery is 3.5 years. Once the Immobilizer Indicator start flashing that is a warning to change my battery.
#26
Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
I have the same problem but when I apply acceleration it still stalls and I'm unable to fix any suggestions from anyone please
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Re: Car Starts but Stalls Instantly... SOLVED!!!!!!!!
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