What Causes the Engine to Stall When Accelerating?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why a car may stall when accelerating: 1. Dirty throttle body with contaminants: This can cause the throttle plate to open less or become stuck during acceleration, leading to stalling. In this case, the throttle body should be cleaned or replaced, and the throttle should be recalibrated. 2. Faulty ignition coil or coil short circuit: If visual inspection and resistance measurement fail to accurately diagnose the issue, a new ignition coil should be used for comparison testing. 3. Clogged fuel filter: A dirty fuel filter can obstruct the fuel flow during acceleration. Replacing the fuel filter can resolve the stalling issue. 4. Faulty mass airflow sensor: Replace the mass airflow sensor. 5. Defective fuel pump: A failing fuel pump cannot maintain proper fuel pressure or provide sufficient fuel injection, causing the engine to stall during acceleration. In such cases, replace the fuel pump and clean the fuel tank if necessary. Also, inspect the throttle body and fuel injectors.
The car I drive is an older model, and sometimes when I press the accelerator to speed up, it suddenly stalls and stops, which makes me quite worried. I asked a mechanic about it, and they said it might be due to old spark plugs with poor ignition, preventing the gasoline from burning completely. Excessive carbon buildup is also a major issue, as dirty pistons or valves can affect the even combustion of the air-fuel mixture. A dirty air filter might also block airflow, leading to stalling. Last time this happened on the highway, I slowly pulled over to the side and stopped safely, avoiding danger. After taking it to the shop for inspection, they replaced the spark plug and cleaned the throttle body, and it returned to normal. Regular maintenance is crucial—replacing spark plugs every 20,000–30,000 kilometers and periodically cleaning carbon deposits can effectively prevent such issues. Safety comes first—don’t wait for a breakdown before fixing it.
