Q: Idle fluctuates and then stalls.

asked by on March 02, 2017

i have a 2011 mitsubishi lancer and it shut off while i was at a red light. i put the car in park and turned the key to turn it off, then turned it back on. it started fine and was running fine. none of the lights are on on the dashboard. what could this be?

My car has 175000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Idle Control Valve Replacement $162.54 - $1028.01 Get a Quote

What you are describing sounds like a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and at idle. This valve is controlled by the vehicle’s computer and will adjust idle speed based upon other measurements such as engine temperature, intake air temperature and electrical system load or voltage. This is also an important function when starting the motor as it allows the motor to run and idle on it’s own once the motor fires. When you accelerate, the engine RPM increases, and as you let off the gas, the RPM slowly returns to the normal idling speed with the help of the idle air control valve making the transition from a higher RPM back down to idle speed while adjusting the air/fuel ratio constantly to allow this to happen smoothly. When the engine RPM drops below the normal range of about 800 RPM, this often times will cause the engine to stall indicating a dirty or faulty idle air control valve. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

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

Getting error code P0463.
There is a strong likelihood that you are correct. The vast majority of the time an erratic fuel level is caused by a faulty fuel level sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-rail-sensor-replacement). I would recommend you ask for help to have the Check Engine...
ABS Module failed. Can I install a refurbished part or does it need to be programed.
This is a good question, and a common one! ABS modules are made by vendors other than the auto manufacturers, they DO have software in them, and the software is different from one automobile implementation vs another. For example, Ate...
My car will shake/vibrate violently when trying to start or turn off the engine after filling up the gas tank
Hello. This occurs from the purge valve not working properly. It can also be a vent valve issue, but that is not as common. These are part of the EVAP emissions system. If the purge valve is not closed when...
I want to know something about the Honda engine D15 crankshaft can work in a D13 block
Hi there. The D13 crankshaft will work in a D15 block, but will have to have long rods. The D15 crankshaft will not work in the D13 block for the D15 has long throws, so you will need short rods...
I'm getting high oil pressure readings when Accelerating
This may be happening for a a few different reasons such as a faulty oil pressure gauge in your dash, too much oil in the motor or clogged oil passages. I would start by checking the oil in the motor...
Reduced engine power
Misfires across multiple cylinders is typically due to a fuel delivery issue. It is possible you can have bad gas. If the fuel is contaminated - dirty, excess water,etc - it can cause a fuel pressure issue. The fuel filter...
i think its the water pump
Be sure the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator is closed and secure. There are a variety of potential leak points in the cooling system. If, using a mirror, you can see coolant leaking out of the water...
My Smart Fortwo has a misfire on cylinder 2. The spark plugs are oily and besides that the clutch actuator needs to be replaced
Hello, thank you for writing in. The issues will need to be evaluated before we can determine what the best plan of action would be. At this point, we cannot determine how long the repairs will last, or if they...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Lincoln Town Car
2011 2011 marked the final year for Lincoln’s aging Town Car. It offered an immense amount of space in the front and the rear, as well as the iconic style for which the line was known. Key Features Perhaps the...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Mazda Tribute
2011 2011 marked the final year of production for the Mazda Tribute, a compact SUV that shared a platform with certain Ford models. The Tribute managed to combine relative affordability with decent performance and a modicum of comfort while driving...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Cadillac STS
Big, Big, bold and beautiful, the 2011 Cadillac STS is a full-size, four-door sedan that promises more than ample room for the entire family, as well as the power and performance you expect from the automaker. 2011 marked the final...