Your car, truck, or SUV stalling is not only frustrating it’s embarrassing. You end up with angry drivers behind you yet it isn’t your fault. If your automobile has been stalling lately, we’d be happy to take a look at it and find the problem. We can then fix it. Here are nine reasons why your vehicle stalls. If your vehicle is stalling, the experts at Demore’s Automotive in Palmer MN are here to help.
No Gas
Don’t say, “Thank you, Captain Obvious” just yet. If your fuel gauge has something wrong with it, you might not realize you’re running low on gas. If you seem to be getting better gas mileage than usual on the same commute, have the gauge tested to make sure the reading is correct.
Lean Air/Fuel Mix
Your automobile needs air and fuel to start and run and it’s the carburetor’s job to mix it. If there is too much air in the mixture, the engine isn’t getting enough gas and can stall. A mixture that is high on air and low on fuel is called a “lean” mixture, and it will affect your engine performance.
Clogged Fuel Pump
The fuel pump is in charge of pulling the gasoline from the tank and pushing it through to the engine. If it’s clogged or in the process of going bad, your vehicle might stall. The issue could also be in the EGR valve or your automobile’s alternator. If it’s the alternator, this will cause reason four.
Dead Battery
Your alternator keeps your battery charged, especially when you’re driving your automobile and the battery is discharging. A dead battery can be a result of the battery itself or it could be that the alternator can no longer charge the battery properly.
Clogged Air Filter
Your vehicle’s air filter does more than you think it does and if it’s clogged, it can make your engine stall. Your vehicle needs good airflow over the engine to run cool and efficiently. If the air filter hasn’t been changed in forever, it is restricting that crucial airflow.
Poor Fuel Pressure
Going back to the fuel pump for just a moment, if it is going bad it might not be able to push the fuel through to the engine effectively. If your fuel injectors are clogged they, too, could reduce fuel pressure. Either way, your vehicle will stall when going up a hill if there isn’t enough fuel pressure.
Clutch Release
If you drive a stick and your vehicle stalls, it’s possible the clutch isn’t releasing like it should be after you release it yourself. This can make the vehicle stall because the clutch remains engaged even though it shouldn’t be. Other signs of clutch trouble include grinding gears and a burning smell.
Coolant Sensor
If your vehicle’s coolant reads that the engine is too hot it will stall the vehicle. The reading might be correct or incorrect. The problem may also lie in the thermostat, as it won’t release coolant if it isn’t reading engine temperatures properly.
No Spark
Finally, the spark plugs create a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture. Once the mixture ignites, your vehicle’s engine starts and runs. If the plugs are dirty or worn, or if there is an issue with the spark plug wires, your vehicle will stall.
Demore’s Automotive can help you find the stalling problem and fix it. Stop by our shop or call to schedule your next appointment today.
