Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
So when my car is cold and I turn it on, the engine dies immediately. I have to turn it back on and press the gas pedal in order to prevent it from dying. I have to do this for at least 10 minutes until the engine warms up and then the car operates normally. Also, when I come to a stop or red light and I'm holding the break, the car will shake a lot. Any help will be much appreciated thanks.
My car has 175000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. Your issue is very likely the idle air control valve, or related components. After continuous use for years, these valves become clogged with carbon and other build-up. The valve can be cleaned. You can use a carburetor cleaner, or similar solvent to help dislodge some of the debris. This would be sprayed into your air intake. Keep in mind what is passed through must be consumed by the engine, and it may act funny during that process. You can also have the entire unit replaced. This would be recommended for any damage to the unit that wasn’t related to a simple clog. If there is a short in the system, or the valve has failed, you would likely experience more dramatic symptoms.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
This is a tell-tale sign that there is a hair line fracture in the ECU`s circuit or in one of the coil`s windings that separates and loses connection when it gets hot and expands. Another thing that can cause this is the carb. It may be getting too much fuel once it`s warmed up.
Cold temperatures affect the chemical process that produces and stores electricity inside the battery, slowing the battery down and reducing its ability to hold a charge.
The main cause of engine stall at high temperature is rapid fuel boiling by increasing fuel temperature. This causes a lot of vapor. Such vapor flows into the fuel pump which leading to decrease the pump load and the current consumption of the fuel pump continuously. This ultimately results in engine stall.
Problem: Engine stalls when cold immediately after starting
This kind of stalling problem often means the engine is not getting enough fuel and/or too much air. A cold engine needs a fairly rich fuel mixture to start, and to idle smoothly while it warms up.
If your car is stalling when it`s cold or stalling intermittently, your fuel mixture might not be adequate. This usually happens when the mixture of fuel and air isn`t rich enough.
If the engine stalls while idling or driving, the engine may be running out of fuel or not receiving enough fuel pressure to keep it running. The most likely cause of this kind of stalling would be a fuel pump that is not spinning fast enough or is intermittently cutting out.
When your engine shuts off when you slow the car down its often as a result of a: Malfunctioning transmission. Low fuel pressure, dirty or defective fuel injectors, or broken fuel pump. Bad oxygen sensor or mass flow sensor.
If the vehicle randomly shuts off while driving or stationary, there is usually an issue with the engine. Typical patterns here are issues with the ignition system, mixture preparation or fuel. A known error here is that the vehicle was refueled with the wrong type of fuel.
Severe oxygen sensor problems might make your engine stall completely. The problem with this sign of engine trouble is that it can be attributed to the O2 sensor and many other things, such as clogged fuel injectors, bad spark plugs, or an electrical problem. It`s best to have the issue check right away.
There are three major causes for a stalled engine: A lack of fuel, a lack of air flow and improper ignition. Running out of fuel is one of the most common causes of engine stalling, but dirty fuel injectors or a plugged fuel filter can also be the culprit.
Your car could shut off.
Some cars have a safety system in place to automatically shut the engine off before it suffers significant damage — which can happen due to low coolant.
When the cold weather sets in, you might notice your car starting to act a bit out of sorts. That`s because low temperatures can interfere with the complex systems, parts, and connections that work together to get (and keep) your vehicle moving.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
ANSWER : Hello. Your issue is very likely the idle air control valve, or related components. After continuous use for years, these valves become clogged with carbon and other build-up. The valve can be cleaned. You can use a carburetor cleaner, or similar solvent to help dislodge some of the debris. This would be sprayed into your air intake. Keep in mind what is passed through must be consumed by the engine, and it may act funny during that process. You can also have the entire unit replaced. This would be recommended for any damage to the unit that wasn’t related to a simple clog. If there is a short in the system, or the valve has failed, you would likely experience more dramatic symptoms.
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after it warms up
ANSWER : Hello. Your issue is very likely the idle air control valve, or related components. After continuous use for years, these valves become clogged with carbon and other build-up. The valve can be cleaned. You can use a carburetor cleaner, or similar solvent to help dislodge some of the debris. This would be sprayed into your air intake. Keep in mind what is passed through must be consumed by the engine, and it may act funny during that process. You can also have the entire unit replaced. This would be recommended for any damage to the unit that wasn’t related to a simple clog. If there is a short in the system, or the valve has failed, you would likely experience more dramatic symptoms.
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
car runs great when engine is cold but dies when engine is warm
ANSWER : This sounds like there is a problem with the MAF (mass airflow) sensor. When your vehicle is cold, the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) is in what is known as open loop. Open loop is a preprogrammed program put in place for warm up. Closed loop is when the PCM begins using the sensors to adjust fuel ratio. The primary sensor the PCM uses to make decisions is the MAF. I’m leaning toward three possible problems here. The MAF may have been damaged during cleaning, the connector may have a bent pin from disconnecting and reconnecting its connector or the boot that connects the MAF to the throttle body has developed an air leak.
Before condemning the MAF, make sure there isn’t any unmetered air entering the motor after the MAF. This will confuse the PCM and things just won’t work correctly. Unmetered air is what we call it when there is a leak between the MAF and the throttle body.
Of course, make sure the MAF has been plugged in. If it is, disconnect the connector and inspect the pins. It is fairly common for the small electrical pins in all sensors to get bent over when reconnecting their connector.
It is very easy to damage sensors in the area of the throttle body when cleaning it. Carburetor cleaner can damage sensors. The one I am particularly worried about is the IAC valve. These can stick and cause many different idle control issues.
If this isn’t of any help to you, I recommend having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose your stalling condition for an accurate repair.
Good luck!
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
Honda Civic 2008. AC stopped working suddenly and engine check light came ON for a day.Next day AC worked and no engine light.
ANSWER : Hi there. In both cases, when an AC system is not working and a warning light is coming on the dashboard, typically a professional mechanic will complete the same initial inspection, which is to download the stored error codes that triggered the warning light initially. This tends to give them an idea as to what is causing the problems. This could be something as simple as an electrical relay that is faulty or loose or an indication of a computer related "glitch". Either way, the best way to move forward is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a check engine light inspection.
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
i was driving and my oil light kept going off. Car had oil. Car wouldn’t accelerate. Car died. It does not turn engine over now.
ANSWER : It is very possible that the engine has been damaged beyond repair. Usually when the oil light goes on and the vehicle is low on oil, especially when a loud noise is heard right before the vehicle died, it is very likely that the engine is blown and would require replacement in order to continue driving the vehicle. I would recommend having the vehicle checked with a no start inspection. Consider YourMechanic as this service can be completed at your home or office.
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
Car engine turns off and dies when car is put in reverse or drive.
ANSWER : Hello there, many common faults will cause your 2008 Nissan Altima to shut off when put in drive or reverse. The first step in diagnosis is to check the transmission for leaks, and the fluid level and condition. Once the transmission fluid is checked most common faults are the torque converter, Idle air control valve, vacuum leaks, or a wiring harness fault. A qualified Technician such as one from YourMechanic will be able to diagnose your engine shuts off when put in drive and make any repairs required.
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
An inconsistent starter motor that occasionally works perfectly now will not work. Then engine will not crank at all.
ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible for the starter to fail. But before replacing the starter, make sure that the battery cables are tight and clean. Then check the starter relay and make sure that the relay is clicking. If the relay is not clicking, then check for power to the relay. If there is power to the relay but there is no click, then the starter relay would need to be replaced. If there is no power to the relay, then either the wiring from the relay to the ignition switch has a break in it or the ignition switch is failing. If there is power to the relay and power to the starter motor, then the starter motor needs replaced. If you need further assistance with your no start issue, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Car dies when the engine is cold but works fine after the car warms up
