Subject:	'98 galant
Question:	Anthony- I have a 98 galant ES 4 door. My problem is when i come to a stop and sit idle the car will make a knocking noise and stall. ive had it in the shop about 3 times in the past month and the problem is still there. they have reset the timing belt and basically tuned up the car. the last place i took it to said it could be an idle control problem. what is this? how serious is it? can the car still be driven long distances? and how can it be fixed? thank you heidi
Answer:	Heidi, The first shop you brought your car to should have checked the idle setting. But its good they set the timing. That usually is the major contributor to knocking and stalling. You mentioned they also "basically tuned the car." For this, I assumed they replaced the spark plug, spark plug wires, distributor, and fuel filter. It is possible for there to be an idle control problem. That could be due to the Base Idle Setting Screw (sometimes referred to as the idle air control valve), throttle position sensor, or a stuck throttle body plate. In the past week, I've actually been getting several questions about Galants with this same problem. I'm not sure if this problem is related to the abundent cold weather, but it's possible. Any adnormalities in your engine can potentially be serious; even if you're not experience any major problems now. Its always the little things that can get serious. You can still drive long distances, but I would recommend getting this problem fix. If you have to go through 4 mechanics and they still can't fix it, you might as well take your car to the Mitsu dealership to have it looked out. They'll at least fix the problem once and for all, and give you a warranty on any new parts and labor they put into it. Good luck!