stalling problem just started

[Bailey]

Caution: long post, sorry, but I could use some suggestions! My car just started stalling about a week ago...was running perfectly, I was driving along, then started to brake on an exit ramp and suddenly the car stalled, dash lights all came on. But it started right up again and I thought no big deal... No further problems that day. Next day, I drove to work with no problems, then on the way home, as I was braking for a stop sign, it stalled again. It started right up but stalled again a few seconds later. It started right up again and I drove the rest of the way home with no problems. The next day, I drove to work no problems, but on the way home, it stalled several times. I got it into the garage and parked it. I searched the old threads on the forum and see that it could be one of many, many problems and my mind was completely boggled after reading a few dozen posts. We then replaced the fuel filter and I drove it a couple of miles with husband following me, it didn't stall and I was thinking/hoping maybe it was fixed. BUT unfortunately it is still doing it. The car starts right up and drives great, but the intermittent stalling is driving me crazy. I am just wondering what any of you suggest are the most likely things to check first... I will be probaby need to get it into a shop for this within a few days. I understand it could be fuel pump but if fuel pump is bad, wouldn't it completely go? I assumed it was fuel line related...now I am wondering if it could be electrical?

I had just pumped a full tank of gas a day or two before this started (for the two weeks prior it had been running on close to empty with me just pumping a few dollars worth each time) I know there is slight chance it could be the gas, but not likely. any thoughts on what to check first??

[subaru]

Try MAF

Gave me similar problems, complete shutdown especially on roundabouts,(no ps!!) cornering and lateron just on the road

After changing no more problems

Rinus

[Bailey]

thanks for the info, definitely sounds like it could be this

[Mike621]

+1

Sounds like a MAF Sensor.

[subarufamily]

mine did the same thing as per above info it was the MAF bought one and solved
the problem so +1 on the maf

[Bailey]

Mike at All We'll Drive is shipping me a used MAF, my dealership will be putting it in for me as soon as it arrives. Hopefully that will solve the the problem!

[Bat'Qul]

Ah you should install it yourself. Save some money. Its literally a plug and 5 screws. Any way i have the same problem, with the random stalling. I tried cleaning it but that only worked for 3 days. I am in alaska so getting a hold of a good MAF is going to be difficult, but i think its my only option because i am going to drive to my new base in kansas.

[laserx]

There is a "Cleaning and resoldering the Mass Air Flow Senser (MAF) in the How-to documents. Worked for me. The resoldering took a while, but saved buying a new one.

[Bat'Qul]

I tried that to but didnt work. I got to get it fixed lol. I going to do the e85 stage 2 any way so i am going to by a brand new maf. I just hope that is the real problem. You know being the maf and all. Would suck if i spent the money and it dont fix it. Is there a way to bench test the maf? I dont get any codes from the ecu. However when it does die and i restart i get 16 flashes from the power light.

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by Bat'Qul

I tried that to but didnt work. I got to get it fixed lol. I going to do the e85 stage 2 any way so i am going to by a brand new maf. I just hope that is the real problem. You know being the maf and all. Would suck if i spent the money and it dont fix it. Is there a way to bench test the maf? I dont get any codes from the ecu. However when it does die and i restart i get 16 flashes from the power light.

Re bench testing. The following write up I put together some time ago may help you do an on car check. A bench test would require specialised calibrated air flow gear.

Mass Airflow Sensor.

MAF measurement is achieved by heating with a constant electric current, an element comprised of wire/gauze/grid whatever, suspended in the intake air stream of the engine. The electrical resistance of the wire/gauze/grid, element, increases with the temperature, which limits electrical current flowing through a circuit of which it is part. When air flows past the wire, the wire cools thus decreasing its resistance, which in turn allows more current to flow through the circuit. As more current flows, the wire’s temperature increases until the resistance again reaches an equilibrium.

N.B. The amount of CURRENT required to maintain the wire’s electrical resistance at an equilibrium, is directly proportional to the mass of air flowing past the wire.

If air density increases due to an atmospheric pressure or temperature change, but the moving air volume remains constant, the denser air will conduct more heat from the wire, so that as a result, higher mass airflow will be indicated thus offsetting what could otherwise constitute an error.

When installed in the SVX.

It will be seen that a heater is involved which requires constant voltage at battery level, applied when the ignition switched is turned on. There should be 10 - 13 volts between MAF terminal 1 and 3 or ground. With the engine running, the voltage should increase to 13 -14 volts.

With the engine running at idle there should be 0.8 - 1.2 volts between terminal 4 and 3 or ground, this being the signal voltage.

Addendum. --- On opening the throttle you should get an even voltage change, with no sudden spikes or interruptions.

[Bat'Qul]

sweet thanks ...i grab the multimeter from work tomorrow


this way i can determine if its my maf thats causeing the intermitent dieing at speed/idle(when ever it feels like it) or it could be some other gremlin...lol

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by Bat'Qul

sweet thanks ...i grab the multimeter from work tomorrow


this way i can determine if its my maf thats causeing the intermitent dieing at speed/idle(when ever it feels like it) or it could be some other gremlin...lol

But do not discount that you have an intermittent fault, which may not exist at the time you are making a test.

This sort of fault drives the best up the wall and I commiserate accordingly. You will have to refrain from kicking something valuable.

[Bailey]

I bought a used MAF from All We'll Drive and had the dealer install it for me last week, and my car hasn't stalled again since then. so I am thinking that was the problem with my car. (Dealer tried cleaning the old MAF but that didn't work.)

[Mike621]

Originally Posted by Bailey

I bought a used MAF from All We'll Drive and had the dealer install it for me last week, and my car hasn't stalled again since then. so I am thinking that was the problem with my car. (Dealer tried cleaning the old MAF but that didn't work.)

Kathy,

I am glad to hear that the replacement MAF has solved your stalling issue.