I have a 1.2l petrol gp and I've been noticing that the car will frequently stall when going down gears or while reversing. it seems like it is almost being starved of oxygen.

has anyone encountered this issue before or has any ideas what it could be

Hi

Does it idle ok.. hot and cold..?

When were plugs and airfilter last checked??

There should be an air valve in the throttle body, might need a good clean with carb cleaner. My guess, not letting air through when throttle shut, hence Charlie's question about the idle.

If it idles ok, has someone adjusted the throttle stop screw? Should never need moving, but could be adjusted to mask another issue. Pop the air filter housing off, and look at th ethrottle stop screw, is there any evidence it may have been touched in the past. Correct way to reset is to increase the revs so the idle air valve closes, then reduce gently to the correct setting.

SEARCH before you post new topic, there are multiple threads about it (car stalling, low power, cutting out, etc.)! Check also Guides section.
Tip: car needs a real maintenance (search, download and read the owner's manual, there is a chart - what to do at given mileage, of course most people won't follow the instructions).

PS
There is no idle air control valve in the 8V Grande (1,2 / 1,4). No such thing (some people mistake it with EVAP system solenoid valve, guys on the forum, eBay sellers, etc.). Most of the idle air is provided by small "breather" hose (PCV system).
And leave the throttle alone. Nothing to "adjust" there.

Having spent a bit of time browsing the Panda eLearn, it uses an idle speed actuator to control idle speed. From the diagrams it is difficult ot see whether this moves the throttle spindle directly, or by changing the position of the throttle stop. Haynes does not give any clues either. I expect the answer should be apparent looking at it, but it is hot out there, the car is facing the sun, so I'm not venturing out to look.

We need an answer about how it idles generally and at what speed if possible, to get an idea as to whether the idle control is working as it should.

My GP 1,4 8V will not die idling, when I clog the throttle (or push it 100% close, by hand). Nothing happens. So air comes from the air filter box, via small hose ("breather"). And idle RPM is controlled other way (by fuel trim/spark advance?) probably.
Of course, when breather hoses are clogged and throttle is dirty too, engine will run poorly (but should not die).

Stalling is typically caused by: some sensors (like MAP, temperature, clutch switch, crankshaft TDC sensor), ignition system, fuel system, timing (belt, VVT), valve clearances (most neglected thing ever in all 8V Fiat engines - most if not all, are manually adjusted, shims), filters (air), mechanical load (faulty alternator or A/C), mechanical problems with clutch, exhaust (massive leak or clogged).
Or little bit of almost everything (example combination: old timing belt + old sparkplugs + valves never been adjusted + dirty air filter + intake vacuum leak + "long-life" oil change intervals).

Of course, we don't know the service history of the car. And year ("plate"), and mileage...

camwalsh2018 said:

I have a 1.2l petrol gp...

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Not enough info...

camwalsh2018 said:

...and I've been noticing that the car will frequently stall when going down gears or while reversing. it seems like it is almost being starved of oxygen.

Click to expand...

Why air? Maybe fuel? Or it's not ignited at all (or not at correct timing)? Or not proper mixture?

camwalsh2018 said:

...has anyone encountered this issue before or has any ideas what it could be?

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"Yes" and "yes". Search, Google: engine stalling causes.

Is the car idling OK on neutral without stalling?

If yes, so the car stalls only when you downshift or engage reverse?

It may be related to the clutch hydraulics or clutch itself. It may not disengage properly or bites low and makes the car stall if you don't apply some throttle.

If NO, car doesn't idle on neutral and keeps running only if rpms are maintained by foot. It could be as suggested before, many possibities. Have the fault codes read and the car serviced, spark plugs changed, vacuum leaks checked.


Idle is completely electronically controlled on these newer cars. No adjustment possible. :nono: