Why does the car always stall when starting?
2 Answers
Reasons why the car always stalls when starting: 1. First, analyze the symptoms of idle stalling. If the engine stalls as soon as it enters idle operation, it is called "no idle." The causes of this fault generally include: damage to the engine idle control valve or its circuit; 2. A leak in the brake vacuum booster hose, damage to the brake vacuum booster diaphragm, air leakage in the intake manifold, or issues with the idle control module in the engine electronic control unit; 3. If the engine sometimes stalls at idle but returns to normal after restarting, it is called "intermittent idle stalling." The causes of "intermittent idle stalling" generally include sticking in the engine idle control valve or wear on the outer insulation of the idle control valve wiring.
When I first started learning to drive, I often stalled the car when starting, especially on slopes, which was particularly frustrating. The main issue was releasing the clutch too quickly—letting go before reaching the semi-engagement point, causing the car to lose power and stall immediately. The throttle coordination was also inadequate, either pressing too lightly or not matching the clutch's rhythm, resulting in RPMs too low to move the car. Additionally, if the idle speed is too low or the engine has problems like severe carbon buildup, stalling is more likely during starts. I recommend practicing the starting operation more on flat ground—slowly lifting the clutch until the car slightly vibrates, then gently pressing the throttle to stabilize it. Repeated practice will make perfect. Also, check if the vehicle is well-maintained, such as whether the air filter is clean and the condition of the spark plugs, as a well-maintained car is less prone to stalling. In short, don’t rush—treat the coordination of the throttle and clutch as a skill to refine gradually. Once you get the hang of it, the problem will disappear.
