I have a 1990 245 with automatic tranmission that has been experiencing intermittent engine stalling. It seems to only happen when it is either hot outside or if the car is warmed up. It doesn't seem to happen on cooler days on short trips. Usually it happens when the car has been driven for a while and then left to sit for 10 minutes or so and then restarted. Unless the engine is revved and thrown into gear quickly it will stall. Sometimes it quickly passes other times it takes a few tries to get it going. It is often accompanied with a screeching sound like a loose belt but I have checked the belt tensions and they all seem to be fine so I don't know if the sound is related. It will also stall at stoplights.

I did find a small tear in a vacuum hose ad fixed it but it did not seem to fix the problem.

I have read a few other postings on stalling problems and the solutions seem to be all over the board. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

Had the same problem with my 91 242 - stalled only when warm and at idle. New o2 sensor and flame trap cured it.

Good luck!

David

The screech on starting could be the crank pulley...it starts with a little chirp when starting, and then progresses to a screech, and then progresses to lights across your dash, hard steering, weak AC, since absolutely everything rides off of it. It's two pieces of metal smashed together with rubber in the middle...the rubber cracks and separates...inner metal circle spins...outer middle circle spins, slips, stops...you get the idea.

Does it screech when it stalls? Does it only stall with the AC on? Does the level of the fuel in the tank make any difference? Does it only happen when slowing or turning (course I hope you are slowing to turn)? Just a few things to think about...

As someone else said, clean your throttle body, and clean your idle air motor. You have a 1990 model, so you can check for codes. Service your fuse panel...so many things can be cleared up with clean connectors and new fuses.

One detail I forgot to add which may help diagnose this problem is that when the engine is warmed up (and not stalling) it idles asthmatically. Kind of a wheezy idle that phases up and down.

It only stalls at when idling, never while driving, and starting is never a problem.

Check the IAC valve and clean it as well as the flame trap and throttle body. Check for vacuum leaks. Good luck. Dan
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85 245 M46 193K, 92 245 A70 120K

Typically, the 'screeching' sound is from the alternator belts, and that's a sign they need to be re-tensioned or replaced. That said, I would also look at the corrugated hose between the AMM and the throttle body, especially on the underside, for leaks. When your engine is cold the enrichment from the cold start injector or longer injector pulse time will mask any vacuum leaks. One you're warmed up, a vacuum leak is "undetected" intake air and you'll run lean, to the point where frequent stalling occurs.

Thanks for the suggestion about the hose. I will check that.

As far as the belts go, I assumed that the screeching was from the belts but none of them are loose. The person I purchased the car from had just replaced them all so I wonder if he put the wrong width on or if there is some other variable that would cause this sound.

If the belts were vry recently replaced, then they've stretched a bit (normal for new belts) and need to be retightened.

I have the same problem as Eric. 1988 244. I've changed the 25 amp fuse, and the rotor. No joy. Now the car won't even start when it's cold. Won't start period.

I too have read the tips and agree they seem to be all over the place. I don't really want to start changing parts I don't need to change. Any help would be appreciated.

Jay

Make certain you have your firing order correct, and your cap and rotor secure, number one. Service the fuse panel, number two. Do you hear the fuel pump running, number three. If so, try unplugging the air mass meter and seeing if it will start.