Q: Service engine light on...car hesitates/stalls after stop

asked by on December 03, 2016

2001 BUICK LE SABRE....service engine light...car misfires...whirring noise after i cranking up the car which is sometimes louder during acceleration...car hesitates after stopping& trying to accelerate...replaced spark plugs, spark plug wires, EGR valve, catalytic converter...error code says something about insufficient vacuum EGR valve...i was thinking replace MAP sensor but what could the problem be?

My car has 150000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The EGR valve is a small component designed to allow the flow of exhaust gases into the intake manifold in controlled amounts. As such, it’s a simple valve that closes and opens as needed. The EGR valve has one single job to do, regardless of the system configuration, type of control and number of sensors: that is, to either open and direct exhaust gases into the combustion chamber, or to close and keep them from entering. Whenever you start the engine, the valve comes alive and waits in a closed position, blocking the flow of exhaust gases. Once the engine reaches operating temperature and speed increases, the valve, either through vacuum or electronic control will gradually open, allowing burned exhaust gases to enter and combine with the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber. If you slow down sufficiently or come to a stop, the valve gradually closes and blocks the flow of exhaust gasses. After you shut off the engine, the EGR valve closes and remains in that position. When the EGR valve is clogged or dirty, as they are prone to, it may not function properly causing the engine idle rough, stall at idle speeds, cause the car to get poor fuel mileage, emit a strong smell of fuel due to excess hydrocarbons which also results in failing emissions tests. I would recommend having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your location to properly diagnose and repair your EGR Valve.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car hesitation and misfires
Hello. The most common cause of this is a tune up issue. If the spark plugs are worn then this can happen. If the check engine light is coming on (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) I would typically start by scanning the computer for...
Steering wheel shakes when braking
Since you have already replaced the front and rear rotors, I suspect the problem is in the steering or suspension. The first thing that comes to mind is a worn wheel bearing/hub assembly, but other parts of the steering/suspension could...
Brake and ABS lights on for several day and then off
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/5-essential-things-to-know-about-your-car-s-anti-lock-braking-system-abs) prevents wheel lock up when the brakes are applied during emergency braking or on a slippery surface. In your vehicle, the skid control module receives speed signals from each wheel's speed sensor. It...
The car loses power, gauge shows engine overheating
You should have the cooling system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-a-car-s-cooling-system-works) checked for overheating. These engines are known for having leaking cylinder heads, intake manifolds, and water pump problems. Most mechanics can check to see what is the cooling system problem and diagnose it...
Leak and low oil pressure
This suggests that you may have a leaking oil pan gasket (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-pan-gasket-replacement). This can happen for a number of reasons, but is usually common due to excessive heat which causes the gasket to shrink creating a leak in the gasket....
Car runs rough sometime an engine diagnosis says I have a misfire in three of my six cylinders sometimes car runs smooth other tim
Hello, thank you for writing in. When it comes to a misfire on several cylinders, the vehicle is likely struggling with compression. If the issue was fuel or spark related, the engine would have a misfire code on all cylinders....
Rough idle, stalls when accelerating, engine shuts down while driving with no fault codes.
Hi there. The issue is the coolant thermostat temperature sensor. The sensor is malfunctioning causing the computer (ECM) to think that the engine is either too cold or too hot and causing the fuel mixture to be off. I recommend...
How do you repair the passenger seat slider mechanism?
The seat slider mechanism could be rusty or stuck do to the spring being broken or missing. You will have to remove the seat and check the track with the seat upside down. This will help you determine what is...
What tye of prepurchase inspection is best? Bringing mechanic to the dealership or bringing car to the mechanic's shop?
The tools used in an inspection are portable and so either option will work. A more more important consideration in purchasing an inspection is the training of the mechanic and the mechanic's ability, and interest, in finding that which is...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Buick LaCrosse
Over Over the past several years, Buick has returned to form when it comes to luxury sedans, and the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is a standout even when compared to some of the other big names in luxury. Key Features The...
Buick Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Program
If If you’re in the market for a used Buick vehicle, you may want to check out cars under their certified pre-owned program. Many manufacturers have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program, and each one is set up differently. Read on...
How to Replace an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Tube
The EGR valve is connected to an EGR pipe, which helps distribute molecules through your vehicle’s EGR system. A bad pipe leads to performance issues.