Engine Shutting off! Help!

[Mikahl]

I have a 95 base 3000gt, A4 with ~105k
This problem started just a week ago, When approaching a stop the rpms will drop suddenly and the engine will cut off.. From what I've experienced the voltage will progressively drop from say 14/15v and gradually fall below 12v. Also the powersteering will die ofcourse, and then after driving after getting started, or if i'm lucky and there's no problem at all, the car will idle at 1,500-2,500 RPM which is crazy, since it usually idles at 700RPM.

From my little knowledge of cars in general, I've always done maintanence(sp) such as oil change, spark plugs... well I haven't changed the spark plug wires\I beleive the timing belt needs to be changed soon because of the mileage(sp) or the battery is just not charging... also, my radio is ghettorigged so that it's always connected to a powersource regardless if there's a key in the ignition.. with that said, is my battery just dead from the consistent drain from my radio??

In anycase I'm going to get the battery tested today(I've had a refurbished alternator installed less than 10k miles ago). Please help anyone??

[Shawn96VR-4]

Your on the right track. Check battery and alternator. Also, I went through *2* rebuilds on my alternator.

[Tool Man]

3 letters, I A C Mine did the same thing yours is doing. If you come to the meet on the 4th, I'll swap mine out with you to test it.

[xwire]

IAC or leaking BIS screw or other vacuum (after throttle body) leak

[Danin Re']

I had a similar problem after doing some work to the car that requred me to disconnect the battery. I quickly ran by the dealership and was told that after having the battery disconnected, it needed to be started and ran until the cooling fan came on and off for a complete cycle. That allowed time for the ecu to calibrate or whatever.

Could be the problem if you've recently disconnected your battery.

[Mikahl]

Just finished cleaning out the interals and pintle of the IAC and the part of the throttle body the pintle of the IAC connects to. I followed the great "how-to" on Steealth316 website. Moved the K&N CAI bracket while I was there, and my A4 tranny shifts completely into Park 100% of the time now, instead of 25% :) Thx everyone for the info, I woulda shelled out tons of cash to get it looked at.. (well hopefully no more troubleshooting for now and the idle returns to normal\no longer stalls)

thx again guys!

[Mikahl]

IAC or leaking BIS screw or other vacuum (after throttle body) leak

what's a "BIS screw"?

[mitsu_kidd]

It's a little screw on ur throttle body for Basic Idle Set Screw BIS OR BISS.

[xwire]

what he said

[Tool Man]

Just finished cleaning out the interals and pintle of the IAC and the part of the throttle body the pintle of the IAC connects to. I followed the great "how-to" on Steealth316 website. Moved the K&N CAI bracket while I was there, and my A4 tranny shifts completely into Park 100% of the time now, instead of 25% :) Thx everyone for the info, I woulda shelled out tons of cash to get it looked at.. (well hopefully no more troubleshooting for now and the idle returns to normal\no longer stalls)

thx again guys!


So did it fix the problem?

[Shawn96VR-4]

The BISS screw leaks like a bitch. I filled it with THE RIGHT STUFF.

[Mikahl]

I cleaned out the IAC, on the part of the throttle body that it connects to. I though I did everything right, it idled fine on start up 700RPM, then I drove it voltage\RPMs were as they should be. Then I really wanted to see if the problem is fixed, so I went WOT, and again when coming to an idle, RPMs plummit, voltage drops, and the engine stalls. So does that mean I have to replace the IAC? I'll check the BIS, "the right stuff" is a name brand fluid?,

If anything the adapter plugs on the inside of the IAC had a little rust, maybe covering no more then 8% of the total plug if that has anything to do with it? Car seems to be fine when driving under 4K RPM though.. do I just tighten the BIS screw if it's leaking? Thnks for all the help again.

[Mikahl]

Well, I'm not driving the car right now... because the slut stalled out on me at every stop light\stop sign on the way to get the truck, I do have to drive it back to my house so I can attempt to fix it again.. Since the powersteering cuts off when it stalls whilst I'm turning and my cars pointed right towards traffic... so I have to start it it in neutral(the cars automatic) rev it so it doesn't die, slide it back in Drive at the right time so the tranny's not getting hurt to bad and then gas it again while turning... all w/in a span of 1.5 seconds... so now when apporaching a turn I shift it to neutral maintain the rpms around 2k, and then slide back in drive, bla bla...

So way too much wear to keep driving it.. and dangerous since I just leave my hazards on the whole time, and it's a pretty embarassing sight, anyways gonna have the car down until it's fixed. (I didn't even go past 3krpms this time either) fucking slut car! I'mma recheck the IAC\check for any leaks after the throttle body and that BIS screw. thx again for the suggestions guys.

[xwire]

adjust the idle up on the BIS screw counter clockwise to increase the idle, if the car has some miles on it suspect a weak IAC motor, they don't last for ever and tend to "weaken" and cause what you are saying for symptoms, the BIS screw adjustment will help but is not a long term fix, replacing the IAC would be the long term

[Shawn96VR-4]

adjust the idle up on the BIS screw counter clockwise to increase the idle, if the car has some miles on it suspect a weak IAC motor, they don't last for ever and tend to "weaken" and cause what you are saying for symptoms, the BIS screw adjustment will help but is not a long term fix, replacing the IAC would be the long term

Exactly. I just add THE RIGHT STUFF to seal the opening so I don't leak air. :)

[Mikahl]

Ok Imma search on stealth316 for a picture of the BIS scerw, and lol what's "the right stuff" wax??

[Mikahl]

I can't seem to fina photo on s316 site :\ Can anyone tell me, or know where I can find a photo of one? Phillips screw, or flat head? I took a peek at the thottle body just now, and found a phillips head screw facing upwards but dunno if that's it. And how many rotations counter-clockwise should it be turned, assuming it's set at 700rpm right now?

[Mikahl]

I still couldn't find a pick searching "thermostat valve, Biss screw"
So I found this one, and pointed an arrow to the screw that I'm guess is the BISS screw iono??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/Mikahl/Cars%20I%20have%20worked%20on/bisscrew.jpg

[TTAngel]

yes, thats the biss screw.

I thought you had to ground something out to raise the idle, though...? not just let the screw out.

[Mikahl]

Great :) Now, assuming it's set to idle at 700RPM, how far counter-clockwise should I turn it??

[xwire]

with the car running at idle just turn it counter clock wise to raise the idle, I would assume about 1000-1100 rpm seeing as you are an automatic

[Shawn96VR-4]

THE RIGHT STUFF is at WalMart or any store like that.

BISS screw is right on the TB. It sits down inside an opening. Once you see it, you won't forget it.

Speaking of idle, I only idle at 700RPMS. What does everyone idle at?

[Tool Man]

800 here. After you get the idle up, that's still a temp fix, the IAC is still broken and needs to be replaced.

[Bologna]

I had this same problem in my ATX and just adjusted the idle up to ~1100 rpms and it was fixed. Sold it that way too(forgot to tell the new owner)... new owner has gone thru 5 trannys and 3 motors in less than 2yrs. My acclaim has the same problem but theres no idle screw that I can find.

[Mikahl]

ya definitely buying a new IAC asap :p