My hubby and I recently purchased a 1999 Magna Wagon. I have not driven it much as i catch the train to work, but a couple of weekends ago i took it for about an hour round trip and when i came off the freeway near home and stopped at the lights, it just died (stalled).

It started up straight away thankfully, but then died again at the next lights i stopped at. I then found that if i put it in neutral at the next lights, it didn't stall (I think because the revs are higher in neutral).

It has not done it since that, but i have not driven it further than the local shops and train station, and so the engine has not had a chance to warm up again properly.

Does anyone have any idea as to what might be causing this?

I don't know if it is relevant, but I had the timing belt replaced (they did the whole kit) soon after i bought it because it was due for a change (120,000 kms).

Thanks a lot everyone! I want to get it fixed asap as we are expecting our first baby in a few weeks and don't want to be breaking down with bubs in the car!!

Pip H

i have had the same prob but only when my AC is cranked i have no idea why it does it

I'm guessing the obvious ECU reset has been tried? Alternatively, I think my step-dad had this problem with his TF, something about "clutch pack" in auto trans not disengaging or something. When was trans last serviced?

Also check O2 sensor... Thats what was wrong with mine when mine was doing it... Also had 3 shocking spark plugs so also check those.

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I have no idea when the transmission was last serviced, i don't have the service history of the car unfortunately.

We have not tried any fixes yet, had no idea what it might be. Is resetting the ECU something we can do ourselves or do we need a mechanic?

O2 sensor and spark plugs - will check these if we can do them ourselves (I know my hubby can do spark plugs but i don't know about the other stuff).

Thanks again for the suggestions guys!

Check trans fluid and ensure not dark/dirty color. Should be nice and clear with red tint.
Reset ECU by disconnecting Neg terminal of battery - but note if you have battery backed alarm system, it might start screaming. This might also reset aftermarket radio settings.
Front plugs easy to check/replace. Rear is bit more complicated, cos the plenum needs to be removed. Good idea to change plenum and TB gaskets at this stage and perhaps clean them too.
O2 sensor can be checked with Volt meter. Do you have service manual (like Gregory)? Instructions are there.

What's your idle RPM on D? What happens to RPM when you turn AC on (still stopped and D)?



Thanks for your replies everyone.

I have no idea when the transmission was last serviced, i don't have the service history of the car unfortunately.

We have not tried any fixes yet, had no idea what it might be. Is resetting the ECU something we can do ourselves or do we need a mechanic?

O2 sensor and spark plugs - will check these if we can do them ourselves (I know my hubby can do spark plugs but i don't know about the other stuff).

Thanks again for the suggestions guys!

My TE used to do exactly the same thing and would only do the stalling when coming off the freeway, didn't do it around town.

The problem went away when I cleaned the PCV valve, its an easy job to clean with some degreaser. If you look at the top of the rocker cover you will notice a 1/2 inch diameter hose going into it with a black plastic connector thing (the PCV), this is what gets clogged over time and needs to be cleaned out on the front and rear rocker covers, check the rubber hoses too and they will have gunk in them.

Hi I have a TR Magna which stalls occassionally when warm. I've replaced distributor, rotor plugs etc but does the same thing.

Can somebody give me an idiots guide to where the PCV valve is on the TR ie left or right of rocker cover when looking to the "back" of the car
and how to remove it? Seen lots of posts about this, but still struggling....

Hi I have a TR Magna which stalls occassionally when warm. I've replaced distributor, rotor plugs etc but does the same thing.

Can somebody give me an idiots guide to where the PCV valve is on the TR ie left or right of rocker cover when looking to the "back" of the car
and how to remove it? Seen lots of posts about this, but still struggling....
Yeah definately sounds like it could be the PCV valve/line. Its either blocked or cracked/corroded.

I'm not too sure where it is on the TR. But you should see a vacum line that goes from the air intake to your exhaust headers (the valve is usually located where the air intake is). If you manage to find the line, pull it off and give it a clean.

There is a tube on the right side which goes to the silver steel engine inlet things.

pulled that of at the "head end", then undid a bolt which screws into the rocker cover.

This was dirty - shaking it sound like some sort of a valve which goes back & forth, so i reckon this is the pcv.

Starting the engine which this off and air rushes out.

Put it back, so I'll do a road test tomorrow.


There is something on the left side with a tube which goes to the air inlet after the air cleaner... not sure what this is...

low trans fluid check ure fluid in neutral... mine started doing this when i neglected the level for a bit

Don't know if this helps, but mine used to do this after an ECU reset on idle - I took off the intake manifold and TB - Cleaned them out and put them back in - Everytime I give it a reset, it runs perfect now...

ok guys when im driving along engine all warmed up, i go to turn the AC on and my car stalls when in idol when stopped what the hell is happening.............

It could also be a faulty or intermittently faulty ISC motor (idle speed control) which allows additional air to bypass the throttle body and raises the idle speed as required. It's controllled by the ECU from information it gets from sensors on engine load at idle. Sensors on the A/con , Pwr Steering and selecting a gear should all cause a slight increase in engine rpm to compensate for these loads. If it fails then any of these loads will cause the engine to stall. Also a dirty throttle body could cause poor idle.

I had a TR V6 some years ago which suddenly started stalling at idle in gear, intermittent at first and then just would not idle at all in gear. The ISC motor had failed.

Has the battery been disconnected recently before problem started?. When I first bought mine and replaced the battery it ran like crap and would often stall. Fortunately a work colleague had also been through this drama.
Had to give it the opportunity to learn to idle properly again by starting it and letting it sit idling for 20 minutes after starting without touching the accelerator. Might have to disconnect the battery again to clear it (make sure you have radio codes before doing this though)
Just a thought, something simple to try first.

Has the battery been disconnected recently before problem started?. When I first bought mine and replaced the battery it ran like crap and would often stall. Fortunately a work colleague had also been through this drama.
Had to give it the opportunity to learn to idle properly again by starting it and letting it sit idling for 20 minutes after starting without touching the accelerator. Might have to disconnect the battery again to clear it (make sure you have radio codes before doing this though)
Just a thought, something simple to try first.

the battery was disconnected about 2 months ago but i let it idol for 30 min to let it fix it self, and radio codes i havent needed them for about 3 and a bit years lol but thanks for the info guys im just going to take it to get looked at when my next service is due

OP,
Being in Vic, you are welcome to have me have a look at the car, there can be several reasons for this happening from the ISC back to the trans

O2 sensor will not have any effect on the idle as is pretty much ignored at idle