Mitsubishi Repair: Engine stall at idle - 2003 Eclipse GTS, intake air temperature sensor, intake air temperature

Question
Hello,
My 2003 Eclipse GTS has roughly 108,000 on it already (long commute - all highway).  For the past couple of months now my engine will stall if a truck or car causing major vibrations passes by while I'm idle at a stop light.  I'm in neutral with the clutch released while idle - only applying my brakes.  I have not replaced the clutch since purchase, and I experience no engine lag or clutch slippage while driving (highway or local).  And, when it stalls, it starts up just fine and I go about my business.  If you can shed any insight on this before I send my car (and a blank check) over to the dealer to figure it out, I'd greatly appreciate it.  Thanks!

Answer
Sam: I know you are going to read this and say what the heck, but I got to ask. How old is your air filter? Could be the sensor in your air cleaner is going, that one is called Intake Air Temperature sensor. But then if that was true your check engine light should be coming on and you say nothing about that. You might have a vacuum leak, leaking EGR valve, the fuel pump could be not sending enough fuel, head gasket leaking though I do not think it is this true. Timing belt should be replaced and/or pulley's could be worn. This is out of my repair manual and so just ideas. The fact that the car is fine on the highway but has problems when sitting idle at a stop sign means that the engine has slowed down, gets less air and fuel. The computer is what controls the mix, but it gets it's idea on how much mix the car needs from all the sensors through out the engine. Is why I thought there might be a weak or bad sensor so the computer is reading that everything is fine. When it isn't and so the car will die at idle. You say it is when a car or truck goes by, how about not so much from the vibrations but that, that truck or car takes the air from the car. The reason I wondered about your air filter. With all those highway miles you should do a tune up often. You know it takes three things for that car to run good; stark, air and fuel but then the computer has to mix them. So always try easy not so costly things first, do a tune up and replace the air filter. Check to see if the car has a vacuum leak too. Hope this helps and good luck!