What to Do If Your Car's Engine Stalls Unexpectedly

Whenever you jump into your car, you may be used to a certain level of performance and a vehicle that essentially responds to your every command. However, sometimes the unexpected may happen and your engine will begin to misbehave. For example, you may find that you arrive at a stop sign and prepare to turn in one direction or the other, only to find that the engine shuts itself off. What is happening here and what can you do?

Idle Mode

Although some modern-day cars are equipped with a sensor that will turn the engine off if you are stopped at a traffic light and resume power when you reapply the accelerator again, ordinarily the engine should go into idle mode when you don't have your foot on the "gas." However, you may notice that the engine appears to shake for a little bit before cutting itself off, instead. This can be more than an inconvenience, as it could happen when the vehicle is actually moving and should you lose engine power in this situation, the power steering would shut off as well and make it more difficult to manoeuvre.

Vacuum Leaks

The problem could be mechanical or electronic but is most likely to be caused by a vacuum circuit leak. This is not something the average motorist can diagnose too easily, however, and you should consult an expert if you suspect this may be the case.

Computer Issues

Alternatively, the problem could be linked to a fault with your vehicle's central computer and if so, you may notice a warning light on the dashboard. To find out what is wrong, you will need to plug a diagnostics tool into the ECU, which is located in the footwell on one side of the central console or the other. This will enable you to see where the fault lies.

Could It Be the A/C?

The fault could also be traced to your air conditioning system, as these units can often use a lot of engine power in order to operate successfully. In so doing, the A/C system can often alter the engine's idle speed up or down when you are in full cooling mode at low speeds.

Problems With the Linkage

Finally, it's also possible that the mechanical linkage between the throttle pedal and the fuel injection system needs some attention. It could be stretched and if so, will need to be replaced.

Putting It Right

Have a word with a mechanic to help you diagnose the issue properly and effect repairs as soon as possible.