engine stall problem

[yeding]

I recently bought a 2000 prism with 114,000 miles on it. the car works fine. but this morning, after I started the car and drove 30 yards to a stop sign (without warm up the eigen), the egine cut off by itself and I had to start again. this also happened weeks ago. is there something wrong with my engine or I just need a tune up? can anyone please give me some clues. BTW, my car is a little bit shaking in ilde. and there's a lot of black powder in the tail of the exhaust tube.
any advices will be appreciated, thx

[toyomoho]

Do you mean soot in the tailpipe? Might be the MAF sensor or IAC valve needs cleaning.

[yeding]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Do you mean soot in the tailpipe? Might be the MAF sensor or IAC valve needs cleaning.

ye. so that may cause the engine to be stalled? thx
how much does it cost to chage the MAF sensor and clean the IAC?

[crypticlineage]

MAF sensors are a bit expensive but you should be able to get an aftermarket one for under $100. You could try cleaning it first.

MAF sensor sits on the pipe that connects air filter assembly to throttle body/intake manifold on the engine. It should have a label that would read MAP or MAF. You can disconnect it and spray the wire inside it with some cleaner (google), the wire is the sensor. Definitely google "MAF Cleaning" to get a tutorial, there should be many floating around on the web. I am going to need to do this exercise myself.

While you're at this, you may also want to check on throttle body (aluminum small pipe sitting between intake manifold and air filter assembly under the hood). Its a annual maintennance item. Again, google is your friend.

I dont know much about IAC valve cleaning (guys, is it also called PCV?). If it is another name for PCV, just change it (only $5 at dealer), dont bother cleaning.

Let us know how it all went.