What causes a car to suddenly stall while driving and fail to start?
2 Answers
There are several main reasons why a car may fail to start after stalling: 1. Fuel system: Check for issues such as a damaged fuel pump, ruptured fuel lines, clogged carburetor inlet, or an empty fuel tank. In such cases, the car can actually start if you remove the air filter, press the accelerator pedal, and observe fuel spraying from the carburetor's acceleration nozzle, indicating the fuel system is functioning properly. 2. Electrical system: Issues like low-voltage power failure or engine overheating causing anti-explosion system failure during driving can lead to stalling. Check the ignition and starter switch. Remove the central high-voltage wire and start the engine with the starter. If there's no spark from the central high-voltage wire, it indicates an electrical system problem. 3. Low-voltage circuits: A short circuit in the low-voltage circuit can cause intermittent stalling. Inspect the low-voltage circuits.
Yesterday I took my old buddy out for grocery shopping when suddenly the engine sputtered and died. Turning the key only produced a clicking sound. I quickly got out and popped the hood, only to find the battery terminals covered in a layer of blue-green corrosion. I had to sand them down for a while before reconnecting. If only I had rinsed the terminals when washing the car a couple of days ago—humid weather makes them especially prone to corrosion. Measuring the battery voltage showed only 11.3 volts, and I had to call for a jump start to get going. Old cars often have parasitic drains; I remember last time after modifying the audio system, I forgot to turn off the screen after shutting off the engine, and the next day the battery was completely dead. Now I’ve made it a habit to unplug the dashcam power cable every time I park.
