What are the reasons for sudden loss of power and stalling in second gear while climbing a slope?
2 Answers
Sudden loss of power and stalling can be attributed to the following reasons: I. For automatic transmission vehicles, the main causes of climbing weakness include: 1. Gear too high - should shift to a lower gear when climbing. 2. Idle speed too low or unstable. 3. Automatic transmission slipping. 4. Vehicle's inherent power issues. II. For manual transmission vehicles, the main causes of climbing weakness include: 1. No free play or insufficient free play in clutch pedal, causing constant contact between release lever and bearing (produces noise even when stationary). 2. Worn clutch friction lining frequently keeps clutch in semi-engaged state, creating noise from rotating release bearing during driving (adjustable via clutch pedal free play). 3. Contaminated or oil-soaked clutch lining that hardens due to frictional heat. 4. Twisted clutch driven plate or broken damping springs causing torsional vibration noise. 5. Insufficient lubrication in clutch release bearing producing squeaking sounds. 6. Uneven release levers (or diaphragm spring fingers) easily breaking damping springs, causing continuous slippage and vibration during starts. Broken or weakened clutch springs create similar issues. Weak return springs on release levers prevent proper bearing return, leading to incomplete clutch disengagement and abnormal noises. 7. Worn splines on driven plate hub or clutch shaft. 8. Misalignment between clutch, transmission, and engine crankshaft centerlines.
A sudden loss of power and stalling in second gear while climbing a hill is usually caused by insufficient fuel supply or ignition due to excessive engine load. I've experienced this myself while driving, especially on steep slopes where the car stalled before stabilizing. There could be several reasons: not pressing the accelerator deeply enough, causing the RPM to lag and the car to feel sluggish; a clogged fuel filter cutting off fuel supply, starving the engine; worn-out or heavily carbon-fouled spark plugs leading to intermittent ignition and power loss; or a dirty air filter restricting airflow, unbalancing the air-fuel mixture and drastically reducing engine efficiency. Once after coasting downhill, I checked and found carbon buildup on the spark plugs—cleaning them improved performance. To prevent this, anticipate inclines, maintain proper throttle and RPM, and regularly inspect these components to avoid overloading the engine under high stress.
