Car troubles usually come up unexpectedly, leaving you stranded on the side of the road unable to get to where you’re going. A common vehicle problem is engine stalling and unfortunately, there isn’t just one cause.
If your car’s engine stalls, there are a number of possible culprits:
Culprit #1 – Faulty Electrical Wiring
Electrical wires in your car can become detached, corroded, or stripped due to prolonged vehicle use or bad driving conditions. Making sure all wires are connected and in good condition will eliminate faulty wiring as the cause of engine stalling.
Culprit #2 – Bad Car Battery
When your car battery is dead, your car will not start. A warning sign that your battery is on its way to total failure is a stalled engine. A car battery that isn’t putting out enough power will require the alternator to work harder, stressing the engine and ultimately causing it to stall.
Culprit #3 – Insufficient or Excessive Air Supply
Your car’s engine can’t run without air. If too much or too little air is getting to the engine, it will either run too rich and over-fuel or run too lean – both of which can cause the engine to stall.
Culprit #4 – Low Fuel Pressure
If you notice your car only stalls when you go up or down a hill, your issue is likely low fuel pressure. A simple addition of fuel injector cleaner to your car’s gas tank can help remedy this issue.
Culprit #5 – Failing Fuel Pump
The fuel pump is in charge of supplying fuel to your car’s engine. If the pump isn’t supplying enough of that fuel to the engine, the engine won’t be able to produce enough combustion in its power cycle to continue running.
Culprit #6 – Transmission Slip
If your car’s transmission has an internal pressure problem, it can cause the torque converter to lock up, causing your car to stall. Though not as often the culprit of engine stalling than others, the transmission shouldn’t be overlooked when searching for the root cause.
Call on a Maryland Auto Maintenance Shop That You Can Trust
Even though some of these causes of engine stalling may seem easy to fix, it’s important that you take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic soon after you experience a stalled engine. This will give you peace of mind that the root cause of the engine’s stalling will be found and repaired, ensuring you will be back on the road safely.
Hillmuth Auto Care is a reliable and professional Maryland auto maintenance shop with convenient locations throughout the state. Contact our pros today to schedule a check-up on your vehicle!
