What Causes an Engine to Stall After Starting?
2 Answers
Reasons for an engine stalling after starting: 1. The vehicle's anti-theft system is triggered, locking the engine; 2. Poor contact of internal contacts in the ignition switch; 3. Low fuel pump pressure, fuel line leakage, insufficient power supply current, or damaged fuel pressure regulator; 4. No proper matching after replacing the engine control unit or anti-theft system components, or damaged wiring. Methods to prevent engine stalling: 1. In winter, pay attention to the direction of the car's front when parking—face it towards a building to block the wind and prevent the engine from getting too cold; 2. When parking at night, position the car's front towards the sunrise direction so that the first rays of morning sun can warm the engine; 3. Regularly visit designated service stations for inspections.
I've been driving for twenty years and have experienced the frustration of the engine starting and then stalling on its own several times. The most common cause is a problem with the fuel system, such as an aging fuel pump that fails to pump fuel or a clogged fuel line, leading to insufficient fuel supply. The last time I encountered this issue was during a road trip—the car would start and then stall immediately. It turned out that the fuel tank was nearly empty, and the fuel filter hadn't been replaced, causing it to clog with debris. Another possible reason is a dirty throttle body, which restricts airflow and makes the engine struggle to breathe, leading to stalling. Vacuum leaks can also disrupt the air-fuel mixture balance. The ignition system is often another culprit; spark plugs that have been used for too long may have poor ignition performance, or the ignition coil might be damaged. If you encounter this problem, don't panic right away. First, check the battery voltage and fuses. If you can't resolve it yourself, take the car to a repair shop as soon as possible to inspect the sensors or clean the fuel injectors.
