Engine Shutting Down When On Neutral Or Clutch Pedal Pressed

[jbx999]

I own a Toyota Corolla 2002 model (bought it new in 2003 and been happy with it for the last 12 years without any problems).

It is a hatchback VVTi 1.4ltr model with Manual Transmission.

I've always serviced it at the official toyota service centre, and I gave it a full service last September.

2 weeks ago I had a problem with the car Battery going flat, and after some diagnosis it turned out to be the alternator regulator. Its been fine for the last 2 weeks, but today it did something weird and too random to generate the problem consistently.

I was parking, with the clutch pedal and brake pedal both full pressed (I was stationary at that time), when suddenly the revs of the engine felt like they were dropping and it did some strange vibrations (like when you don't fully press the clutch and the engine can't cope with the gear its on) and the engine went off. I thought it was a one off, maybe my fault, and went on with my business.

After that it did it again, in the middle of the road, I was on neutral, very slow (in traffic), taking my time to change gear depending on the movement of the traffic, when the engine revs dropped again and it shut itself down, still moving (albeit slowly)... I restarted it inflight and went on.

It did it again, similar situation, in traffic, almost stationary in traffic, in neutral - no gear, suddenly it went off. I just get the Battery and engine lights, the normal stuff I get when the engine is off. When I restart it all the lights go away.

What I also noticed was the sound the engine is making when idle does not sound as smooth as it used to be. The rev meter seems to drop to 600 revs (I think it usually always is around the 1000 revs, but not so sure) and the strange vibrations sound... and then suddenly something kicks in and increases them back to between 800 and 1000 r/min.

What could be the issue now? Could it be related to the alternator regulator? I read somewhere it could be something related to EGR or something related to the Petrol Pump, or something related to the timing. Is there anyway I could make the car do it on demand, so that I can demonstrate the issue at the service centre? I dont want to go and they say that its fine and there's nothing wrong with it because it didnt do it to them.

Really getting worried I am going to go in some saga of visits to the service centre and it will start costing me an arm and a leg to fix a 12 year old car.

Thanks!

[Cyker]

Hmm, first two things I'd try are for the next tank of fuel use some of the expensive stuff like V-Power; This will help clean out the fuel system a bit if the problem is deposits and such building up in the fuel system (esp. the injectors).

The second, and more likely thing, is that the MAF sensor needs cleaning or replacing (Hopefully the former). Garage should be able to clean it easily and cheaply, or you can DIY (It's usually a little block with a cable in it screwed in just after the intake airbox; Just need to unscrew and carefully remove it, then give it a good spray from a few inches away with some electrical switch cleaner. Just don't let anything touch the little bulb thing as it's quite delicate!)

Hopefully it's not needing replacing as they are quite pricey.

[oldcodger]

As far as I know the petrol rollas do not have an EGR valve.

I have expereinced running like that, its after you have had the Battery disconnected and the ECU has to re-learn how to tickover, it hunts like you say for the first few miles.

Otherwise I would try what Cyker has suggested plus something often mention, but not something I have done, with the air intake hose disconnected clean and spray the air intake flap with a can of carb cleaner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jno6cSDN47I