What Causes a Car to Suddenly Stall and Fail to Start?
2 Answers
Vehicle stalling and failure to start can be caused by faulty spark plugs, a depleted battery, or incorrect gear selection. The specific reasons are as follows: Faulty Spark Plugs: Spark plugs are critical components in a car's ignition system, and the ignition system is key to whether the car's engine operates. Therefore, if spark plugs are not functioning properly, they need to be replaced promptly. Depleted Battery: A depleted battery will make the starter feel weak when attempting to start the engine, as if it can't quite turn the engine over. If you try to start the car twice in a row, the first attempt will feel stronger than the subsequent one. In this case, the battery needs to be recharged. Incorrect Gear Selection: Generally, automatic transmission vehicles can only be started when shifted into the P (Park) gear. If left in R (Reverse) or D (Drive), the car will not start. Some manual transmission cars also won't start if the clutch is not depressed. Proper gear usage is required.
I just encountered this issue last month! The car suddenly stalled while driving, and no matter how many times I tried to start it, there was no response. Later, when it was towed to the repair shop for inspection, they found that the crankshaft position sensor was completely dead. The mechanic said that once this little thing fails, the car's computer won't know where the pistons are, so naturally, it won't start. Another possibility is that the alternator is broken, causing the battery to drain—check if the battery light on the dashboard is on. A fuel pump issue can also cause this; when the car is stationary, listen near the fuel tank for a 'humming' sound. The scariest scenario is a broken timing belt—my mechanic buddy said the engine might be completely ruined in such cases. I suggest calling for roadside assistance first, and don't be like me, foolishly trying to start it a dozen times and draining the battery completely.