What Causes a Vehicle to Suddenly Stall While Driving?
2 Answers
Generally, sudden stalling while driving is caused by an empty fuel tank, electrical issues, ignition coil failure, or fuel pump damage. Here is some relevant information: 1. There are many reasons why a car may stall. If the stalling is not very sudden and the car first feels like it is struggling to get fuel, with the situation worsening until it stalls, this is mostly due to a fuel system issue. If the stalling is very sudden, it is often an electrical problem, such as a burnt-out ignition coil, a blown fuse, or damage or disconnection of key sensors. A specific diagnosis can only be obtained by taking the car to a 4S shop for inspection. 2. After discovering the stall, depending on the road conditions at the time, if there is no emergency, you can slowly apply the brakes to prevent rear-end collisions. After the speed decreases, gently steer the vehicle toward the roadside lane. Note that the brakes should be applied continuously, with increasing pressure—do not release and reapply them, as this will deplete the remaining vacuum, making it impossible to brake again.
I've been driving for over a decade, and what I fear most is the car suddenly stalling while on the move. That time on the highway was almost disastrous. There could be many reasons, such as the fuel pump failing or the spark plugs burning out, causing the engine to lack fuel or electrical sparks. Sometimes, it's due to loose battery connections interrupting power supply; a clogged fuel pump filter can also cause the engine to stall. After that experience, I developed a habit: regularly checking the fuel and electrical systems to ensure no aging parts. If the car stalls while driving, immediately turn on the hazard lights and slowly pull over; never force a restart to avoid greater damage. For prevention, check sensors during every maintenance, like the throttle position sensor—if it fails, it can misinterpret commands. Paying attention to these small details can reduce accidents; otherwise, the towing fees alone can be a real headache.
