Any car problem that occurs suddenly and the reason is unknown can become a worrying experience. That said, when a car dies while driving, it may happen due to multiple reasons. For instance, the car may have run out of fuel, or some vehicle components may have malfunctioned.
Today, we will elaborate on the causes of why your car dies while driving and how to fix these problems.
WHY DOES A CAR DIE WHILE DRIVING?
The car turns over but won’t stay running or not starting at all is a sign of worry, but when a vehicle shuts off while driving, you can be at risk of an accident. That said, one must understand the root causes behind this car issue.
Are you facing the problem of a car shutting off while driving? Here are the causes of car dying while driving and how to fix these problems.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
A car may die while driving due to an empty fuel tank. Some motorists don’t fuel their vehicles on time or miss the fuel station. That said, drivers may see the fuel empty warning light on the car dashboard, but when the fuel station is far off, the vehicle may stall suddenly.
How to fix it?
The only way to avoid this problem is to fuel up the vehicle on time. When a car runs out of fuel, it can cause several other failures in the fuel system.
FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS
When a car dies after starting, or the engine doesn’t start, components inside the fuel system may have malfunctioned. A bad fuel pump or filter doesn’t supply the right amount of fuel to the engine. Speaking of that, the engine may struggle to produce power.
Lack of engine power causes a car to shut off while driving. Moreover, several other problems may indicate a faulty fuel pump, a clogged fuel filter or bad fuel injectors.
The fuel pressure regulator may also malfunction. It maintains the fuel pressure supply to the engine. However, a car may die while driving when the fuel pressure regulator malfunctions.
How to fix it?
If your car has a filled fuel tank and it still dies, you can get your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic. Replace or repair the damaged components, such as clogged fuel filters or worn-out fuel injectors.
BROKEN TIMING BELT
A car timing belt helps start and function the engine accurately. A stretched or bad timing belt may result in power loss. A car may die while driving when the timing belt breaks.
How to fix it?
The motorists must visit a professional mechanic to replace the timing belt for the vehicle’s optimum performance.
BAD ENGINE SENSORS
Several engine sensors, such as Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and Mass airflow (MAF), may malfunction. For instance, a bad MAF sensor will provide an uneven air flow to the engine and disturb the air-fuel mixture. That said when a car turns off while driving but turns back on, it may be due to the power loss incurred by an incorrect air-fuel ratio.
How to fix it?
A professional mechanic will check for the car diagnostic codes using an onboard diagnostic (OBD) scanner. After that, the mechanic will replace the sensor that may have been damaged.
ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS
A car alternator helps start the vehicle. When the alternator doesn’t provide enough electrical power to keep the engine running and maintain the car’s electrical systems, a car may die while driving.
When the alternator fails, motorists see a check engine light. Also, they may face common car problems, such as battery issues, dimming headlights or multiple electrical components not working properly.
How to fix it?
You can get a faulty alternator checked by the mechanic. Get it repaired or replaced timely to avoid the vehicle stalling.
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE
The crankshaft position sensor provides the engine control module with information about the position and speed of the crankshaft and controls fuel injection and ignition timing. A failed crankshaft position sensor can cause a car to die while driving.
Bad crankshaft position sensors can also cause a car to take longer to start. Moreover, it results in poor fuel economy and engine misfires due to incorrect information about the crankshaft’s position and speed.
How to fix it?
An onboard diagnostic (OBD) scanner will provide the engine codes. It will help identify if the crankshaft position sensor is faulty. Replace the crankshaft position sensor to avoid engine stalling or other performance-related problems.
CAR OVERHEATS
A car may die while driving due to an overheating car engine. The first thing is to pull over to a safe place as soon as possible and not try to continue driving since it can cause more damage to the engine.
It may happen due to the low coolant level. Moreover, thermostat, water pump or radiator fan failure may cause engine overheating. Therefore, it is essential to determine the problem after stopping the car in a safe place.
How to fix it?
Check the coolant level and add more if required. Inspect the radiator hose, coolant leak or thermostat damage. Replace the damaged components timely to avoid the engine overheating in future.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A CAR SUDDENLY DIES WHILE DRIVING?
When a car dies while driving, safety should be a top priority. You can follow these steps to ensure your safety when the engine stops suddenly:
- Try to steer your car to the side of the road, away from traffic. Use your hazard lights and turn signals to alert other drivers that your vehicle has stopped.
- Determine the cause of the problem via warning lights on your dashboard or various car noises.
- Once you have safely stopped, turn off your car’s engine to prevent further damage.
- Call for assistance depending on your situation. You may need to call a tow truck or roadside assistance service.
That concludes the complete causes and their fixes when a car dies while driving. One should always get a vehicle inspection before buying a used car in the UAE. Since the car may stall suddenly, it is essential to safely stop the vehicle on the roadside and call for assistance.
Stay connected to dubizzle’s auto blog to learn more about various car problems and their fixes.
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