Driving when your engine suddenly stalls may be terrifying, particularly on a highway or busy street. Understanding the underlying causes is essential to preventing more damage and ensuring your safety on the road since there are many different reasons why your automobile can shut off while you are driving.
Many issues, such as a bad battery, fuel pump, Alternator, ignition system issues, overheating, or a clogged fuel filter, might cause your automobile to shut off while driving.
We will not discuss the evident empty gasoline tank since, let us face it, it is rather logical, is not it, that it might cause your automobile to shut off while you are traveling. That is a simple issue that some people experience much too often, and it can be fixed with a fast trip to the petrol station. But, if your engine continues to stall even after refilling, it is essential to look into further reasons and determine the root of the problem.
Symptoms & Solutions for Car Turning Off During Driving
1. Faulty Battery
A vehicle may shut off during driving due to a dead or weak battery. The car’s electrical systems, including the radio and lights, as well as the starting motor and ignition system that start the engine, are all powered by the Battery. The engine may stall if the Battery cannot provide the required power.
The Battery’s condition may be checked using a voltmeter or at an auto parts shop. A battery should be at least 12.6 volts in voltage to be considered healthy.
If the Battery is defective, changing it should fix the issue. The price to replace a car battery may range from $50 to $200, depending on the make and model of the car.
2. Faulty Alternator
A vital part of a car’s electrical system is the Alternator. The Alternator produces energy to power the car’s electrical systems and replenish the Battery while the engine operates. A belt is used in the Alternator’s operation to revolve a rotor within a stationary array of coils. The electromagnetic field created by this process creates energy, which is subsequently utilized to power the car’s electrical parts and replenish the Battery.
If the Alternator breaks down, the Battery cannot get enough power, which might lead to the engine stalling out while driving. The electrical systems of the car might also malfunction, creating further problems. A multimeter may evaluate the Alternator’s voltage output to identify damaged alternators.
When the engine is operating, a good alternator should generate a voltage of around 14 volts. The Alternator is not working properly if the voltage output is noticeably lower or greater than this.
The price to replace a car battery may range from $300 to $700, depending on the make and model of the car.
3. Bad ECU
The engine management system of the automobile is controlled by the ECU (Engine Control Unit). It regulates several engine operations, including idle speed, fuel injection, and ignition timing. During driving, an ECU problem might result in the engine stalling. Rough idling, weak acceleration, and trouble starting the engine indicate a bad ECU. With sophisticated diagnostic equipment, a mechanic may identify a defective ECU.
The price to replace a car battery may range from $500 to $2000, depending on the make and model of the car. The ECU may, however, sometimes be fixed, which is a little more economical option.
4. Faulty Ignition Switch
Your car can turn off while you are driving if your ignition switch is not working properly. Turning the key to start the automobile engages the ignition switch, which is located behind the ignition lock. Little metal plates within the switch might develop rust and corrosion over time. In such a case, one or more plates can come unconnected, leading to the ignition’s complete shutdown.
The engine will quickly stop due to this unexpected lack of power. Thankfully, it is simple to check for a broken ignition switch. Check whether the dashboard or ignition lights remain after the car stops. A broken ignition switch might be why the dashboard instrument is dead.
The ignition switch should be replaced to resolve the issue. The price to replace a car battery may range from $100 to $300, depending on the make and model of the car.
5. Overheating
A car may switch off while in motion due to overheating. The cooling system is in charge of controlling the engine’s temperature since the engine produces a lot of heat. The cooling system comprises a radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, and fan. Any of these parts failing might cause the engine to overheat, damage other parts, and stall. Engine coolant, circulated through the engine to absorb heat, must be cooled by the radiator.
The thermostat controls the coolant’s temperature while the water pump moves the coolant through the engine. Hoses connect the various parts, and the fan circulates air over the radiator to cool the coolant. Routine maintenance may avoid overheating problems, including monitoring the coolant level and ensuring the cooling system works properly.
Depending on the precise root cause of the problem, the cost to resolve an overheating issue might vary significantly. For instance, the cost to repair a broken radiator might range from $150 to $900, while the cost to repair a damaged water pump can range from $250 to $600.
6. Fuel Pump Issues
Fuel must be transported from the petrol tank to the engine via the fuel pump. The engine might shut off while driving if the fuel pump malfunctions. Typically, the gasoline pump is housed within the petrol tank and is powered by an electric motor. It exerts pressure on the fuel lines to feed fuel to the engine.
The fuel pump’s pressure may be checked using a fuel pressure gauge or a technician. The fuel pump must be changed if it is defective to stop future harm to the car. For a fuel pump replacement, budget between $400 and $1000.
7. Clogged Fuel Filter
To keep contaminants like dirt within the fuel system is the function of the fuel filter. If the filter becomes clogged, the engine can stall. Normally, the gasoline filter is in the fuel line from the petrol tank to the engine. Fuel travels through a medium that catches dirt and particles as it enters the filter. The filter clogs up with time and can no longer successfully filter the fuel.
A gasoline filter replacement or professional cleaning is advised to avoid future engine damage. A new petrol filter for a car might cost between $50 and $200, depending on the make and model.
8. Faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor
A malfunctioning crankshaft position sensor is another potential reason an engine could stall while driving. This sensor determines the crankshaft’s rotational speed and location. After that, it communicates the data to the engine control module.
The engine control module uses this information to modify fuel injection and ignition timing. The engine may stall while you are driving if the sensor is broken. It is recommended to have a professional examine it since defective crankshaft position sensors need specialist tools to diagnose. For the repair, budget anything between $200 and $400.
Conclusion
An unexpected engine stall while driving may be frightening, especially on a busy road or motorway. Your car might shut off while driving for several reasons, such as a bad battery, fuel pump, alternator, ignition system problems, overheating, or a clogged fuel filter.
Knowing the underlying reasons is essential to preventing future harm and guaranteeing your safety while driving. Engine stalling may be avoided with routine maintenance, including monitoring the coolant level, ensuring the cooling system works properly, and maintaining a clean fuel filter.
