Has your car been running really rough? Is the idle of your car not smooth as it should be and it occasionally stalls?
There can be a tenfold of reasons, including worn-out electrical parts, faulty battery, failing alternator, and fuel system problems to highlight a few.
Car shuts off when idle and always restarts with no check engine light, and no codes can be infuriating.
Having basic knowledge of the makings of your car can really help you counter stalling at the idle problem.
I am about to shed some light on the issue with respect to my own experience, and what other drivers in the automotive community have to say.
What Would Cause a Car To Die While Driving or Idling?
An engine that has a tendency to stall can die suddenly when you are cruising with your car, or when acceleration is necessary.
Therefore, stalling should not be taken lightly. If you drive one of the cars involved in safety evaluation, get it to a dealer.
If you have a different model or make, find out what is causing the stalling and fix the issue. There’re many deficiencies that contribute.
Faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
The crankshaft position sensor is used by the ECM to establish the precise position of the pistons in the engine.
It monitors the rotational speed as well as the position of the crankshaft and transmits the data to the engine control unit for the necessary adjustments with respect to operating parameters.
The crankshaft position sensor is the primary sensor for measuring engine speed and most of the ECM table reference engine speed.
So, with a faulty crankshaft position sensor, your car simply will not start, or it can intermittently start or fail to start.
A crankshaft position sensor that works intermittently can set misfire codes followed by backfires through the intake and exhaust.
What You Should Do
The most popular signs of a faulty crankshaft position sensor that can be a cause of your car idling low and cutting off are:
• Intermittent stalling
• Problems starting the car
• Check engine light
• Vibration in the engine
• Slow accelerator response
• Erratic starting
• Misfiring of the cylinder
The most ideal course of action when you have established that the CKP is the problem is to replace it with a new one simply.
Now, changing the CKP is generally not that difficult – one or two bolts maybe and a connector. Unbolt it or unplug it, and usually, you’re good to go.
Failing Fuel Pump
There has to be some kind of motive force to push the fuel into the intake runners. This force is delivered by the fuel pump.
The fuel pump has to be capable of supplying sufficient fuel with enough speed to meet the demands of your engine without the supply pressure in the fuel rail dropping.
There are no compromises when it comes to the fuel pump. It is the one thing that ensures your engine never runs out of gas.
So, the slightest issue will surely result in major drivability problems. And in extreme cases, your car will simply not start.
What You Should Do
Check for the common signs of a failing or weak fuel pump, which can include any or all of the following:
• Engine not starting
• Difficulty starting
• Whining noise from the tank
• Misfire
• Decrease in power and acceleration
• Poor fuel efficiency
There are a number of things you can check to confirm a failing fuel pump, and they include: fuel pump noise, loosen/misplaced timing belt, clogged fuel filter, and wet fuel pressure regulator.
Before you consider replacing the fuel pump, you can conduct a fuel system pressure diagnosis by using a fuel pressure gauge.
High fuel pressure readings usually suggest a faulty pressure regulator or an obstructed return line.
Low pressure can be the result of a clogged fuel filter, defective fuel pressure regulator, weak pump, or restricted fuel line.
Replacement cost for a fuel pump may vary from three hundred to one thousand US dollars with respect to your car make and model.
Failing Alternator
Modern cars come equipped with a highly efficient and compact alternator. This part of your car is accountable for the supply of electricity.
If a car engine shuts off when idle, then your car may have a failing alternator. A defective alternator will limit power supply to important parts of your car.
What You Should Do
Look out for major signs of a failing alternator, such as:
• Engine losing power abruptly
• Dashboard warning light
• Headlights flickering or dimming
• Battery runs down
• Rough running
Check the condition and tension of the drive belt at every oil change. Also, keep your battery and alternator connections clean.
If the problem persists, take your car to a local mechanic for a quick fix. However, if you have experience working with other car systems, you could easily fix or replace the alternator.
Faulty (ECU) Engine Control Unit
If you have a modern car, it has the engine control unit or ECU. This is a small computer that controls almost everything that is associated with your engine functionality and performance. The ECU detects the accelerator pedal position as well as the current operating states of your engine by means of sensors. The computer collects data on-road speed, air mass intake, charge air pressure, fuel rail pressure, and crankshaft speed and angle, among other things.
What You Should Do
Check for signs of a failing, faulty, or bad engine control unit (ECU), which can include any of the following:
• Check engine light
• Engine shuts off when idle
• Engine misfiring or stalling
• Bad fuel economy
As much as you would like to fix everything in your car, fixing or replacing a failing engine control unit is not within your expertise.
You have no choice but to hire a professional mechanic who will conduct a detailed diagnosis and come up with a fitting solution.
Problems with the Ignition System
Your car’s ignition system is responsible for generating a timed spark and supply it to the cylinders of your engine.
The ignition system plays a vital role in turning the engine on & off.
The produced spark is supplied to the spark plugs where it jumps the gap and ignites the air-fuel mixture just before the piston reaches the top of its compression stroke.
Your car shuts off while driving electrical problem can be due to a weak spark that causes poor combustion and lack of power.
What You Should Do
Look out for signs of a bad/faulty ignition relay and/or coil, which can include any of the following:Faulty Idle Air Control Valve
The idle air control valve works with your car’s ECU to electrically regulate airflow to ensure smooth idling.What You Should Do
Look out for the common signs of a bad, faulty, or failing idle air control valve, such as:Empty Fuel Tank
This is an obvious cause when your car randomly shuts off. You need to periodically check the dashboard to confirm the number of miles you have until your tank runs dry. Forgetting to refuel is not an option, not unless you want your car shut off while driving and won’t start.
Final Words
If your car turns off when stopped, this is no ordinary issue. The most obvious suspect would be the faulty crankshaft position sensor.
However, as we have seen, your random stalling or sporadic stalling may be caused by other issues, as well.
You might be having a failing fuel pump, a failing alternator, a faulty engine control unit, a weak ignition system, or a faulty idle air control valve.
There’s always more than one thing to look out for, especially when the check engine light is on. If you have no idea what you’re doing, it is always a good idea to see a professional mechanic.