Car stalls
Speedometer goes up& down,cuts off at low idle after car reaches tempeture,no check engine codes…could the speed sensor cause this
My car has 130000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
There are several reasons why this can happen and with limited information it can be difficult to narrow down the search. Some of the more common things that I have seen that can duplicate these symptoms are dirty throttle bodies, dirty/faulty idle air control motors, and vacuum leaks.
I would recommend enlisting the assistance of one of a certified technician. They will have the tools and experience needed to determine exactly why your vehicle is cutting off and experiencing a low idle. They will also be able to address the erratic speedometer. They can also assist you with making the repairs necessary to get your Impala running and idling smooth again.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The most common reasons a Chevrolet Impala engine stalling are the fuel system, the air intake system, or the ignition system. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue.
Common reasons for this to happen:
Low fuel pressure, dirty or defective fuel injectors, or broken fuel pump: The fuel pump is responsible for transferring fuel from the tank to the engine.
An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine`s that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time.
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 engine needs air to run properly as well.
Some of the most common sensors that lead to engine stalling include the mass airflow sensor (MAF), engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT) and manifold absolute pressure sesnsor (MAP). The idle air control valve (IAC) and exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) are also well known for causing engine stalling.
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.
Cars shouldn`t shut off while driving, but when they do, the most common culprits are: A bad crankshaft position sensor. Other sensor issues in the engine. A faulty fuel system.
The Impala offers good fuel economy, and while it doesn`t have a bad safety rating, other large cars performed better in crash tests. Inside, reviewers liked the vast cargo space and capability to seat six, but they found that the Impala didn`t stack up to the competition when it came to interior quality or comfort.
Based on ownership data, we can say that, no, the 2011 Impala is not a good car. Some benefits include a comfortable ride and excellent cargo space. The negatives outweigh the benefits, though, with common transmission failures, and a poor quality interior. Overall, the Impala is a car that buyers should skip.
Dirty fuel injectors are among the most common reasons for why an accelerator becomes jerky. The dirty injector leads to your car losing power when you attempt to accelerate while at a stop and when you try to drive at a consistent speed. This is the result of an engine misfire.
Trouble accelerating can come from a few different engine issues. These include, but are not limited to, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, and restricted airflow. A problem with the mass airflow sensor, throttle position sensor, or engine speed sensor can also cause a car to have difficulty picking up speed.
Immediately turn on the vehicle`s hazard warning lights. They`re the universal sign of distress. If you`re unable to pull completely over onto the shoulder, or if the car is stalled in a traffic lane, do not attempt to get out of the car! Similarly, never try to cross a highway on foot.
Some of the signs that may be a preview of engine stalling are hard starting when your engine is hot or cold, a noticeable drop in fuel mileage and lack of power when you try to accelerate.
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.
The ABS system will not cause the engine to die. You will need to have the engine scanned for any trouble codes to see the reason you are having the engine stall.
Many modern vehicles are designed with several fail-safes to help protect the engine in adverse conditions. One of this is an automatic shutoff when the oil pressure drops to a certain level, or the oil level drops too low (note that this is not true for all cars). This causes the engine to stall and die.
Malfunctioning spark plugs can make an engine stop for a while and resume its normal functioning. It can happen when you are driving. The engine can also sound rough when idle. The misfires affect the proper functioning of your car`s engine due to failing spark plugs that have no power to ignite the fuel-air mixture.
When a bad module is responsible for an intermittent stalling problem, the engine will usually cold start just fine and run OK for short distances, but stalls after driving more than a few miles or when driving at highway speeds (especially during hot weather). It`s as if somebody suddenly turned off the ignition.
There are a large number of reasons why your car might stall while driving. It could be a dead alternator, a bad coolant sensor or lack of fuel, just to name a few. Is your car stalling while accelerating? If so, then it could be a major vacuum leak, clogged fuel filter or a bad fuel pump.
Automatic transmission vehicles need to manage their level and pressure of transmission fluid when the car is idling. They do this with a component called a torque converter. When this converter fails, your engine will stall.
There are a large number of reasons why your car might stall while driving. It could be a dead alternator, a bad coolant sensor or lack of fuel, just to name a few. Is your car stalling while accelerating? If so, then it could be a major vacuum leak, clogged fuel filter or a bad fuel pump.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Could this cause ur car to stall in warmer weather? My car never stalls during winter months. But from spring on its a neverendin
ANSWER : You should have the check engine light and engine scanned to see if the engine may be running lean due to low fuel pressures or clogged injectors. You should also have the mass airflow sensor cleaned and checked for proper readings and replace if not within specifications. The vehicle runs richer in colder weather and may be the reason for not stalling. You should clean injectors, clean throttle body and idle control valve then clean mass air sensor and relearn idle.
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I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you
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Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
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Car keeps stalling car, I think it’s the fuel pump
ANSWER : Hello – I applaud your diagnostic skills! You have certainly identified a classic failure mode of a fuel pump with extended mileage such as yours. Your fuel pump is located in the tank and is cooled by the gasoline there. With a half tank (or less) of gas, the fuel pump isn’t being cooled as well. A worn pump generates more heat and will stop working when it gets too hot. Well done! I would recommend having a professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, replace your fuel pump to repair this problem.
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The engine stalls when I put the car in reverse, but if I go past reverse into drive there is not an issue.
ANSWER : Hi there. Usually when you shift into reverse and engage the brake it will cause the engine RPM to drop; as it’s creating a load against the transmission and the engine. If the engine stalls, it may be caused by a faulty idle control valve, bad O2 sensors, or clogged fuel injectors.
In regards to the "pan", we’re not sure what you are referring, so it may be a good idea to contact one of our local professional mechanics to complete a battery inspection to determine what’s going on with your 2010 Ford Focus.
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Owner is told car’s stalling is phantom problem
ANSWER : Hey there. You cannot operate a motor vehicle on public roadways if you know for a fact that it stalls unexpectedly. So the first order of business is to STOP driving the car especially given the two frankly lurid examples of near catastrophic crashes that you have described in your question. The second issue is easier: although there are AT LEAST a dozen obvious causes of the symptom you are reporting, and it is laborious to track down each possible "cause," the problem is definitely fixable.
You either have fuel or ignition related component(s), possibly both, that are intermittently cutting out. It might be possible to obtain enough data via your car’s OBD-II DTC interface to diagnose the problem at the time of failure and/or get in the general "area" of the failure. Given the age of the car, one issue to keep in mind is you could have a combination of problems that ultimately cause the stall. To have this problem scoped out, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to inspect the stalling issue and have this corrected.
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My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Power steering loss, no belts are turning but the car is running fine. I also have a soft pedal. Whats wrong with my car?
ANSWER : I have only seen this situation once in my 30+ years and it turned out to be a broken crankshaft pulley. Belts are driven by the engine. The crankshaft pulley spins the belts, which in turn spin the air conditioner compressor, power steering and water pumps, and the alternator. The vehicle should be towed to your local repair shop and not driven. Without the water pump spinning to circulate the coolant, the engine will quickly overheat and result in more extensive damage.
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