My 1997 d21 is stalling at every stop

[Bo-deric]

Hello NICO club, I am new to this site and in fact this is my first post to a forum ever, so if this topic has already been covered in a previous thread feel free to direct me there.

I have a 1997 d21, 4 cylinder, 5 spd manual that is now stalling every time I come to a stop. I first noticed the issue a few months ago but at that time it only happened once in a great while and then would run fine for a few weeks in a row. As I am approaching the stop the RPM's plummet as soon as I take it out of gear and start braking. Not expecting this at first, the motor would stall. Now, if I am expecting this and paying attention, I can usually prevent the stall if I can manage to get part of my foot to hit the accelerator as I am braking.

When it stalls it restarts fine and when I have even the slightest pressure on the accelerator it runs fine.

What I have tried:
New spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor
New fuel filter
A bottle of HEET
New MAF sensor (after the diagnosis of a check engine light by a mechanic. since installing this last week the problem is significantly worse and now wants to stall at every stop)

Anyone else out there gone through this one?

Thanks!

[whomadewho]

Happy New Year and welcome to the site. Lot of possibilities hard to arm chair diagnosis a vehicle problem. Possible throttle position sensor. Before replacing any sensors have them tested. Have the mechanic test the suspected sensor while you watch to ensure your not wasting your money. YOU could remove the top cover part of the air clean and clean the throttle body & the throttle plate with throttle body cleaner. Take an old tooth brush and scrub the plate. Don't get carried away with the spray. Run the engine a spray the inside of the throttle body. Possible the throttle plate was sticking. Next step have the sensor tested.

[Bo-deric]

Thanks for the reply. I will give that a try.

[Kyzerlane33]

I have a 94 d21 does almost the same thing runs fine when driveing but wont idle it just shuts right off if not givein gas i can still drive it but have to idle the gas at stops gets real annoying if you forget and engine shuts off

[Bo-deric]

I finally had the chance to clean the throttle body, but unfortunately it was not the solution. No change.

[Bo-deric]

While cleaning the throttle body and opening the throttle plate I was looking at the throttle cable spring/assembly and was curious if there was a way to adjust the throttle?

[whomadewho]

Wouldn't mess around trying to adjust the idle. You could try removing the MAF sensor and spray throttle body cleaner into the bore. Possible the bore was & still has a build up what ever in the bore. Don't place anything in the bore just spray it. Possible why the engine ran worse after it was replaced. Another possibility the engine has a vacuum leak. Try spraying carb cleaner around the intake manifold & the vacuum lines especially around the EGR valve. Test the throttle position sensor.

[Bo-deric]

I did remove the MAF sensor and sprayed the bore while I was cleaning the throttle body. I coiled up a rag and spun it around in the bore. Why do you caution against placing anything in the bore? What did I risk doing that? I appreciate the suggestions and will keep you posted on any progress. Thanks.

[whomadewho]

Only a caution using a rag with cleaner can introduce fabric or dye into the bore. Also taking a chance of a debris breaking loose in the bore.

[digs]

Plugged up catalytic converter? Dying batteries can also do weird things. I had a car once that did that, replaced the battery all good.