Strange problem with my Vibe

[ArcsVibe]

Not sure if it was ever discussed, I tried to do a search and couldn't find anything.I was driving around yesterday and when I came to a full stop the car felt like it was about to stall. Now I drive an automatic so its not my stick driving lol. It did it a few times but then since yesterday night nothing. Now before I go to the dealer anyone experience this?

[POLO]

hey, samcan you be more specifique, when you say stall,do you meen the car give unwanted boost .somethime it happen ,and somethime,make the opposite,like become very slow like omething block in the car,and you use a automatique ?

[nismo]

I think it's the car itself there arcs. Cuz my vibe used to do that. Hasn't done it for a while. But, after that happened, I decided to get a CAI. That solved most of the problem. It's still a big shaky at lights sometimes. So, yeah, no big deal really.Inder

[johnnyride]

That problem is very common in Fieros..it was a TCC Switch or Torque Clutch Converter Solenoid Switch. Did the car feel as though it was going to stall because, let's say you were in a 5 speed and when you stopped, you didn't downshift, so it started to sputter like it needed to downshift? That's what that solenoid does in an automatic, it makes it downshift to first when you stop instead of 4th. OR, I could be wrong and they don't do that in autos anymore...

[ArcsVibe]

It kinda of hesitates for a few seconds, tries to rev up and repeats the segment. So far today I have had no problems.A member IMed me telling me they had they same problem but since it could not be recreated at the dealership they did nothing about it.TRD4Reel, I also have a CAI but never experienced this till now.

[Mavrik]

Mine has done that very intermit, by the time I notice it, its correcting itself.

[ArcsVibe]

Can the CAI have something to do with it?

[Sputnik]

Mine does this on occassion as well. It seemed to start about a year and a half after I had it. Its very random and not "reproduceable" which is why I've never mentioned it.

[Mavrik]

I never noticed mine before before the CAI or right away afterwards so I can't say its related. I find I can make the car reproduce that occurance slightly by moving the steering a little left or right, but otherwise... it won't do it on its own and has maybe done it 2-3 times 10 months I have had the car so far.

[NSimkins]

Same problem here, but only happened twice (widespread) and is rare to happen for me at all. Normal situation would be coming to a stop, engine would rev down but stop slightly below normal and would still be running but noticably vibrate. I gave it a little gas and it popped back up there and was fine. Non-reproduceable but only happened when the CAI was present (but I've had it for 2 yrs now) so not sure if it's connected.

[soldierguy]

Not sure if this will help or not, but I'll throw it out there. And not yet being a Vibe owner (on order though), I'm not even sure this is a possibility with the Vibe since I don't have first-hand knowledge of the throttle setup.Owners of Dodge Dakotas sometimes report similar symptoms, and I'd imagine it happens on other vehicles as well. On the Dakotas the idle air control valve (IACV) can sometimes get a little dirty, causing exactly what you describe. It can also happen because of a dirty throttle plate...if there's gunk on the throttle plate's edges, it will partially block the already small opening necessary to maintain idle speed...the computer will sense that the vehicle is about to stall, then the IACV is supposed to open, adding a little air to bring things back to normal. Either one being dirty can cause a low idle, uneven idle, or possibly even stalling.It would seem to me that the problem could be worse on those running a K&N type filter, especially one that has been over-oiled...tiny oil particles could attach themselves to the IACV & throttle plate, accelerating the buildup of gunk. A quick & easy cleaning with carb cleaner (and a thorough removal of the cleaner & gunk afterwards) helps a lot on the Daks. I've cleaned off my throttle plate a couple times in my Dak and was surprised at how much gunk can build up...but it doesn't take a whole lot to cause an uneven idle.Another possible problem (but far more unlikely) is carbon build-up on the intake valves. This happened on my Tercel (after a few years of running cheap gas), but this manifested itself as a bad stumble when stepping on the gas after decelerating and an unstable idle...apparently the carbon would "dry out" during deceleration, then the initial hit of fuel after stepping on the gas would be soaked up by the carbon instead of making its way to the cylinder. Cost me $400 to have all 8 intake valves blasted with crushed walnut shells to clean out the carbon, but the car ran like new afterwards. The Toyota tech recommended using a Techron additive or using Chevron gas (since it already has Techron in it). Since then I've used Techron / Chevron in my vehicles and that hasn't happened again.

[ArcsVibe]

Hey thanks everyone I really appreciate all the help!