# Citroen Xsara hatchback 1.6 petrol stalls at idle **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 19, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207 "2025-02-19T22:08:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Matt01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Matt01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Matt01)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/1 "2025-02-19T22:08:11Z")
Hello all, First time writing here. I have a problem with Citroen Xsara hatchback 1.6 petrol. It keep stalling at idle, no matter the engine is hot or cold. I have cleaned the throttle body, but it is still stalling when idling. Some ideas what should i do next? Thanks in advance. Matthew ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/2 "2025-02-19T22:11:57Z")
As a US site, we know very little about Citroens. Year? Miles? Any warning lights? ---
**Author:** ![Matt01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Matt01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Matt01)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/3 "2025-02-19T22:13:37Z")
Hi texases, thank you for reading my post. It has about 100000 miles. Car is from 1997, and i dont have any warning lights. Ah okey I will look at some other forums. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/4 "2025-02-20T00:05:08Z")
The engine probably has what we call an Idle Air Control valve. This valve allows air into the engine to prevent it from stalling anytime the accelerator is released. One way to check if it’s the IAC valve is, each time you come to a stop, use one foot to brake, and very slightly step on the accelerator.with the other. If doing this prevents the engine from stalling, it points to a problem with the IAC valve Tester ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/5 "2025-02-20T01:06:25Z")
Tester gave you some good advice. The site below does show your car does indeed have an IAC valve. [https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/bosch-7629430](https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/bosch-7629430) ---
**Author:** ![Matt01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Matt01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Matt01)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 8:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/6 "2025-02-20T08:08:05Z")
Thank you Tester. I will try with new IAC valve. Will be back here what happened. Matthew ---
**Author:** ![Matt01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Matt01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Matt01)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 12:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/7 "2025-02-20T12:23:14Z")
Hello, Here is the engine. I have rounded the two hoses. One goes to IAC and one from bypassing the throttle body. On the second picture is, I guess IAC valve. I went to local auto parts store and they told me that they dont have it because car is so old. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/9/e9a9f69d67b503b65f5b5f788e40c2cb11d1406a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Matt01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Matt01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Matt01)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/8 "2025-02-20T12:24:15Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/3/d3d364d5928d0d1f33119c70ec6abf19c64fa336.jpeg) Sorry if picture is bad, I could not do it better. It is behind the engine. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 1:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/9 "2025-02-20T13:10:23Z")
> [@Matt01](#): > > I guess IAC valve. I went to local auto parts store and they told me that they dont have it because car is so old. Hi Matt: I have had success cleaning the IAC valve in the past. It wasn’t difficult. I can’t speak for all types of IAC valves, but a can of spray carburetor cleaner and keeping track of the small pieces during the disassembly/cleaning/reassembly may be all you need. ---
**Author:** ![Matt01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Matt01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Matt01)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/citroen-xsara-hatchback-1-6-petrol-stalls-at-idle/199207/10 "2025-02-20T14:22:58Z")
Hi Joe, Thanks I will try with that first. 🙂