Car Shuts Down At Red Lights/Stop Signs/IDLE, Help Car Shuts Down... Options

[themanjsq]

Hello, I've recently bought a 1994 Celica ST, The car sometimes shuts down when i come to a complete stop, the rpm would fluctuate between 800-500 shake and studder then shuts off, mostly at red lights and when the car is on drive. However, if i leave it on neutral at red lights it doesn't shut off. I've went to 2 mechanics and they fixed the tps sensor which help for a few days, but then the problem occurs again. I've went to a 3rd mechanic recently and now he's saying it's the transmission and he needs to take it out to figure out the problem charging me 695.00, which i think might be b.s. so i didn't go through with it. Spark plugs & wires are already replaced with NGK, transmission fluid was replaced with toyota transmission fluid, oil change/oil filter replaced as well, ANY HELP OR SUGGESSTIONS please thank you.

This post has been edited by themanjsq: Nov 1, 2011 - 5:16 PM

[czwalga]

Does it only happen when the car is hot? In my car 2 of the rod bearings spun. When they would heat up there was so much resistance on the rods from expansion it would literally shut the car off.

Also once it shuts off does it turnover immediately when you go to start it again? I went through the same crap trying to diagnose it, didnt actually figure it out until i got rod knock.

This post has been edited by czwalga: Nov 2, 2011 - 12:07 PM

[themanjsq]

Does it only happen when the car is hot? In my car 2 of the rod bearings spun. When they would heat up there was so much resistance on the rods from expansion it would literally shut the car off.

Also once it shuts off does it turnover immediately when you go to start it again? I went through the same crap trying to diagnose it, didnt actually figure it out until i got rod knock.

actually, i have to drive it for a bit to warm up, but once its been driven for a bit, then the shutting down on idle occurs, it actually happens when im on reverse too when trying to parallel park lol. i've taken it to the mechanic today i told him what i thought it could be (idle air control valve needs cleaning) but when i got back to him, he said he fixed it, he said adjusted the timing belt and a wire that was bad which wasnt giving enough power (idk), but when i got home after driving for a bit, i sat there with my foot on the brake and the car on drive, and eventually the problem occurred again =(. I contacted the mechanic and he said he'll check it again, maybe he'll listen to me this time and clean it. UGH! thanks again for everyones help i really appreciate it!

[czwalga]

Does it only happen when the car is hot? In my car 2 of the rod bearings spun. When they would heat up there was so much resistance on the rods from expansion it would literally shut the car off.

Also once it shuts off does it turnover immediately when you go to start it again? I went through the same crap trying to diagnose it, didnt actually figure it out until i got rod knock.

actually, i have to drive it for a bit to warm up, but once its been driven for a bit, then the shutting down on idle occurs, it actually happens when im on reverse too when trying to parallel park lol. i've taken it to the mechanic today i told him what i thought it could be (idle air control valve needs cleaning) but when i got back to him, he said he fixed it, he said adjusted the timing belt and a wire that was bad which wasnt giving enough power (idk), but when i got home after driving for a bit, i sat there with my foot on the brake and the car on drive, and eventually the problem occurred again =(. I contacted the mechanic and he said he'll check it again, maybe he'll listen to me this time and clean it. UGH! thanks again for everyones help i really appreciate it!

Let it heat up, then drive it hard for like 5 minutes, (high RPM). Get back in your driveway, shut the car off and in 30 seconds try to restart it. Does it start, or just keep trying to start.

I know I killed a battery because i was on the starter so long trying to get it start after I drove it hard for a little.