on 24th January 2009, i went for a drive (186Kms @ an avg speed of 120kph) and came back on the next day.
next day i went for another drive for 28kms. enroute at one traffic signal the car stalled (RPM went up till 1K and dropped and stalled).

i thought i released the clutch improperly (actually engaged 3rd instead of 1st) and that is why it stalled.
reached my grandpa's place - tried to reverse and park - it stalled in the same way - the Psteering hardened (obviously because the car stalled).
when i reached home - and tried to park - it again stalled in the same way - the RPM dropped and it stalled.

didnot use the car for the day - started her up at night - let it idle for 15mins - switched on the AC - let the cooling fans come on with / without AC - drove 500mts - the problem never occured.
today in the morning drove her for another 500mts - the problem never occured.

someone told me that if a car is not used for highway drives for a long time, then the ICV (Idle Control Valve) may get damaged after a long highway run?? is that correct?

i had removed the Battery terminal and the plugs that connect to the ECU for 2-3mins and reconnected after that - the car felt better - but soon after a drive of about 30minutes the RPM dropped - i had to rev the car to stop her from stalling.

this happens only when after a drive - during stop 'n go traffic - when moving from stand still / reversing.

what can be the problem? any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Go to a FIAT/ ALFA or LANCIA dealership and have your E(lectronic) C(ontrol) U(nit) read there with a FIAT Examiner computer, than you know for sure the problem.

can the RPM sensor be the culprit? one of my friends told me that it goes bust at around 50,000kms.

planet_rocker said:

can the RPM sensor be the culprit? one of my friends told me that it goes bust at around 50,000kms.

Click to expand...

Mine is still OK after 120.000km......!

thanks a lot Peter

i noticed that the problem occurs only in stop go traffic - after the car is "warm".

How is the condition of your fuel filter?
Running a good injection cleaner might help!
It is very well possible a sensor is not working well though, does the injector light comes on?

fuel filter was changed 2 weeks back.

yes i also think the throttle body needs cleaning.

the injector light is not coming on.

i am using injector cleaner (here in India we get System G for petrol engines) for the last 3 tank ups.

the RPM problem is there but it has reduced a lot.

i am yet to get the throttle body cleaned. i got it cleaned last year (June '08).