Why my car stalls constantly: 6 main causes | Who can fix my car? (2023)

It can be pretty scary when your engine stalls unexpectedly, and it's even worse when it happens halfway or on a busy highway!

As you already know, there are a few different situations where a crash can occur without there being an underlying problem. For example, if you stop the car without putting it in neutral, or try to pull away in anything other than first gear, you'll likely experience the uncomfortable jerking sensation that accompanies stalling the engine.

So stalling is a common problem faced by novice drivers, but if your car stalls frequently and your driving skills are not to blame, it indicates an underlying problem with your car.

Even if you've never experienced an unexpected engine stall, we hope you never will! - It definitely pays to be prepared, which is why we created this guide. In it you'll find some of the most common problems that can cause your car to stall, as well as tips on what to do when disaster strikes and your engine stalls at the worst possible time.

Guide Content:

What happens if your car stalls?

What to do if your car stalls?

See Also

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The 5 most common causes

What happens if your car stalls?

Stalling refers to the moment when your car stops on its own. When this happens you will often experience a jolt accompanied by check engine lights on the dash, but sometimes the stalling process can be more gradual.

In this case you have less control over the vehicle and if yourThe motor does not startIn fact, you could be stranded in the middle of the street. If you find yourself in this situation, there are things you can do to ensure your own safety and the safety of other road users.

What to do if your car stalls?

The worst nightmare for most drivers is getting stuck in a car that has stalled and won't start. The most important thing is to stay calm and do everything possible to make the situation safe.

First, turn on your hazard lights to alert other road users to what is happening. If your car still stalls, try using that momentum to get to a safe place away from traffic, like a parking lot. B. the edge of the road, a rest area, or the shoulder.

However, if you are unable to do so and are stopped in traffic, do not attempt to get out of the vehicle as this could cause an accident.

After stopping, wait for a minute, and then try to start the car again. Even if it starts normally and you can drive, you should still seek mechanical assistance as soon as possible to find out why your car stalled in the first place.

If your car won't start at all, it's time to call roadside assistance.

excessive heating

If your cooling system fails, your car's ECU will eventually force the engine to shut down once it reaches a certain temperature to prevent serious damage.

There are a number of reasons why your engine can overheat, including a coolant leak, a faulty water pump, or a clogged radiator.

You should be able to spot acoolant leakI myself quite easily - you can often see cracks in the pipes leading to the radiator, and if you start the engine, you'll probably be able to detect coolant leaks. A hum coming from the front of your engine also indicates a leak.

If your car is overheating, the corresponding engine warning light should come on to indicate this. Never drive without proper coolant or with an overheated engine, as this can cause serious damage that is expensive to repair.

Instead, have your car checked by onemechanicas fast as possible.

fuel system problems

Without a working fuel system, your engine cannot run smoothly and efficiently - possibly not at all!

First, check your fuel gauge. It may sound obvious, but if there is no fuel in the tank, the engine cannot run. We've all been there, and while it's not an ideal situation, at least there's an easy fix.

However, if you have a lot of fuel in the tank, the problem may be a bit more serious.

• Clogged fuel filter -Before fuel enters your engine's combustion chamber, it must first be filtered out of dirt and debris that could cause serious damage. Over time your fuel filter can become clogged and when this happens it limits the amount of fuel that can get into the chamber. If there isn't enough of it, your car will stall due to lack of power.

• faulty injectors-injectorsIntroduce fuel into the combustion chamber. The amount of fuel must be precise for proper combustion to occur; If it is too much or too little, your car will not be able to produce the required power, causing you to stall.

• Clogged air filter- The mixture of fuel and air must be correct for combustion to occur in your engine. Dirt and debris will build up in your air filter over time, eventually leading to starvation of the combustion chamber. In this case, your car will probably stall.

faulty DPF

HeDPF (diesel particulate filter)It was developed to combat harmful emissions from diesel engines. Many short trips can cause the DPF to clog as it doesn't get hot enough to work efficiently.

Blockages in the DPF can cause back pressure, causing the vehicle to lose power and sometimes stall. In this situation, there are three possible courses of action. You can force a regeneration, remove the DPF to clean it manually, or remove and replace the filter.

It's worth noting that DPFs are not designed to last the life of a car. So if you've had yours for a few years, it might be worth looking into a replacement filter.

ecu error

The ECU or engine control unit can sometimes cause your car to stall when it falsely detects a mechanical failure. This is meant to prevent a crash, but when there's no actual bug, it can be frustrating. The best thing to do in this situation is to take your car to a mechanic to have it done.ECUreviewed and corrected if necessary.

faulty alternator

If your alternator is not working properly, it also means that your battery is not charging while you are driving, causing your car to stall and the engine to stall.

That being said, there are many signs to look out for before your alternator gives up completely. Your headlights may appear dimmer than normal, and your car's electronics may not be working properly or only intermittently. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your car to a mechanic who can check your car.GeneratorYBatteryand make a replacement if necessary.

Clutch and transmission problems

HetransmissionYcouplingThey are prone to wear after long use, and any damage is likely to cause the engine to seize and stall. If you notice your car having a harder time starting or if you feel the clutch starting to slip, it's only a matter of time before these problems get worse. So the sooner you drive to a shop, the better.

Sometimes procrastination is simply the result of human error. Not all of us can drive 100% perfectly, but if your car stops unexpectedly,Who can fix my car?is here to help you find reliable local repairs that won't break the bank.