Car stalls unless I keep the gas on it

Apr 13, 2005
64
0
0
Jacksonville, FL
Can't figure this out. Car starts fine on a charged battery but I have to keep the gas on it otherwise it will stall immediatly. Played with the throttle position sensor and it moves the rpm's a little but has no effect on preventing it from stalling. I have cleaned out the Idle speed control valve but it made no difference. Maybe it's just not working at all? Checked for vacum leaks.. couldn't find any. I keep thinking it's a electrical issue but I don't know for sure. Cleaned battery terminals. No difference. Any suggestions? thanks
 

89Joe

POTATOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 22, 2005
300
0
16
Missouri
Have you checked the AFM? There is a spring in the AFM that has broken on me before which doesn't allow the little meter inside to open according to idle. Take it off and if the gate is stuck closed or doesn't have a springy feel to it that could be the problem. Also check for codes.
 
Apr 13, 2005
64
0
0
Jacksonville, FL
89Joe;1254134 said:
Have you checked the AFM? There is a spring in the AFM that has broken on me before which doesn't allow the little meter inside to open according to idle. Take it off and if the gate is stuck closed or doesn't have a springy feel to it that could be the problem. Also check for codes.


Feels fine. My temporary fix is to adjust the throttle cable so it keeps the rpms higher. The car runs fine but this is just a cover up ghetto fix and keeps the idle higher. I still don't know what the real issue is..
 

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
9,439
0
0
Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
What AJ said. In fact the problem that usually causes this sets a code that is specifically designed not to light the MIL unless the system is in diagnostic mode. Not saying it's your problem but having played with the TPS is a bad sign....
 

86yota

New Member
Feb 17, 2008
87
0
0
upper darby ,PA
i agree with 89joe.

I had the same problem with mine and checked the same things you did. I ended up getting one from a junk yard for $30 it fixed my problem.
 

Isphius

Supra-less :(
May 30, 2006
359
0
0
long branch
Always check for codes first! half the time that will point you directly to your problem. How high do the rpms have to be for it to stay running? is it missing at all or just seem like its not getting enough gas? there is 100 things it could be so pull codes first but whatever you do dont just start messing with stuff or changing parts untill you have a rough idea
 
Apr 13, 2005
64
0
0
Jacksonville, FL
Isphius;1259575 said:
Always check for codes first! half the time that will point you directly to your problem. How high do the rpms have to be for it to stay running? is it missing at all or just seem like its not getting enough gas? there is 100 things it could be so pull codes first but whatever you do dont just start messing with stuff or changing parts untill you have a rough idea


I appreciate your help guys! I'll have to wait till next week to check codes. Thanks for the link AJ! I havnen't checked codes in years. The car sees a lot of garage time these days cause my daily driver is a tacoma. This problem happend one day after not running it for awhile. Then it never went away.

1.The rpms just have to be above 1,000
2. Not missing... runs great with more gas just not normal as the idle is set higher now.

The afm seems to be working fine.. I took the filter off and played with it. The door feels good.
 

AJ'S 88NA

New Member
Jul 26, 2007
2,419
0
0
Florida
EverythingFallsApart;1260104 said:
I appreciate your help guys! I'll have to wait till next week to check codes. Thanks for the link AJ! I havnen't checked codes in years. The car sees a lot of garage time these days cause my daily driver is a tacoma. This problem happend one day after not running it for awhile. Then it never went away.

1.The rpms just have to be above 1,000
2. Not missing... runs great with more gas just not normal as the idle is set higher now.

The afm seems to be working fine.. I took the filter off and played with it. The door feels good.
If you played with the TPS you should reset it according to the TSRM. There is also checks, easy to do with an ohm meter for the AFM and alot of other related things. Also check your wires for chewed sections, mice like to build nest in the spark plug galley. There's several things you can check including the timing, plug wires, rotor and cap, etc. just the normal stuff.
 

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
9,439
0
0
Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
Yep, 51 was the code I was referring to in my earlier post. It doesn't light the MIL unless in diag mode and although it can be caused by a few things it's usually TPS related. If that's the case the idle speed control system will not function.

Fwiw codes should be checked on a regular basis even if the MIL never comes on. During an oil change is a good time to do it...