need help, diagnose problem

[tosc]

hello all, i'm new here, just got my car and already a problem. some times when i put my car (02 sport) into reverse it dies on me and the check engine light comes on, had happened 4-5 times in 4days. anyone know why this might be? most of the time i have been in park and went to reverse, seems maybe the belt loosens, (if thats possible?) or the rpms (no tac) go way down?

[1987cp]

An '02 vehicle will have OBDII; have you gone to your local AutoZone and asked them to scan your trouble codes?

[p71towny]

hmm, that is wierd....Must ponder longer.

[tosc]

An '02 vehicle will have OBDII; have you gone to your local AutoZone and asked them to scan your trouble codes?

no, not yet, but i was thinking if i couldnt figure it out thats what i'd do.

[1987cp]

Yeah, I'd definitely suggest it. Not sure about anyone else, but I'm not sure what to make of your symptoms. Should be impossible for a belt of any sort to loosen just because you put the car in Reverse, but RPMs dropping more than they should I can imagine happening. Only thing my brain's coming up with is the Idle Air Control valve, but that should cause funkiness any time the engine is allowed to idle.

[tosc]

thanks, i think i will just replace it to make sure. if it happenes again then i'll have the codes read.

[Grandmarchris]

When you put your car into reverse the RPM will always drop a couple hundred RPM. Check for vacumm leaks

[Rizzo]

I agree with the vacuum leak. Use a slightly flammable liquid like WD-40. If your RPM's increase you JUST sprayed the area with the vacuum leak.

[1987cp]

thanks, i think i will just replace it to make sure. if it happenes again then i'll have the codes read.

Kind of a pointless way to spend ~$70 if yours isn't bad, though.

[tosc]

thanks for all the help. has not done it since i posted. did do anything, maybe some condensation got in the sensor or something?

[1987cp]

Funky. This would definitely be a good time to get the friendly guys at Auto Zone to read your codes so you can ponder over them without stressing so much over the weird behavior.