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Car Engine Stops at Red Light
Why Does My Car Engine Stop at Red Light?
There are a few reasons why your car engine might stop at a red light. Here are some of the most common:
- Idle Air Control Valve (IACV): The IACV is responsible for regulating the idle speed of your engine. If it’s not working properly, it can cause your engine to stall when you come to a stop.
- Throttle Position Sensor (TPS): The TPS tells the engine how much fuel to inject. If it’s not working properly, it can cause your engine to stall when you come to a stop.
- Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF): The MAF measures the amount of air flowing into the engine. If it’s not working properly, it can cause your engine to stall when you come to a stop.
- Vacuum leaks: Vacuum leaks can cause your engine to stall when you come to a stop because they can lean out the air/fuel mixture.
- Electrical problems: Electrical problems can also cause your engine to stall when you come to a stop. For example, a loose or dirty electrical connection can cause the engine to lose power.
How to Fix a Car Engine That Stops at Red Light
If your car engine stops at red light, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem:
- Check the idle air control valve: The IACV is located on the throttle body. You can clean it using a throttle body cleaner.
- Check the throttle position sensor: The TPS is located on the throttle body. You can test it using a multimeter.
- Check the mass air flow sensor: The MAF is located in the intake air duct. You can clean it using a MAF cleaner.
- Check for vacuum leaks: You can check for vacuum leaks by spraying a mist of water around the intake manifold and hoses. If you see the water get sucked in, you have a vacuum leak.
- Check for electrical problems: You can check for electrical problems by looking for loose or dirty electrical connections.
If you’re not able to fix the problem yourself, you should take your car to a mechanic.