Why does the car stall at idle?

[JourneyRose]

Here are the reasons why the car stalls at idle: 1. Throttle blockage, carbon buildup, or abnormal opening; 2. Carbon buildup or blockage in the fuel injector; 3. Spark plug burning or damage; 4. Use of low-quality gasoline, leading to fuel pump blockage; 5. Insufficient combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. Solutions for the car stalling at idle: 1. Regularly clean the throttle; 2. Regularly clean the fuel injector to prevent carbon buildup; 3. Replace the spark plugs; 4. Use gasoline from reputable gas stations. Additional information: Car stalling at idle refers to the engine running well from low to high speeds after starting, but stalling immediately after releasing the accelerator pedal or first running unsteadily and then stalling.

[VonBenjamin]

I know this problem all too well—my old car had the same issue last year! Idle stalling usually stems from a few common trouble spots: a dirty throttle body that's stuck (a good cleaning should fix it); carbon buildup in the idle control valve causing unstable airflow (just remove and clean it); insufficient fuel pressure from the fuel pump or a clogged fuel filter (blocked fuel lines make it "gasp for breath"); and worn spark plugs or leaking ignition coils (replace them if needed). The worst culprit is a faulty crankshaft position sensor on the engine—if that’s broken, it sends erratic signals. Here’s a trick: after stalling, check if the engine light on the dashboard stays on. If it does, it’s likely a sensor issue—play it safe by scanning the trouble codes at a repair shop ASAP.