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If you’ve ever encountered a situation where your car feels like it is going to stall when you stop it, you may already know how stressful the situation can be. It’s quite a common issue faced by a lot of drivers and can occur due to a variety of reasons.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the possible causes of why your car feels like it’s going to stall when stopped and also discuss the viable solutions that you can implement to fix it promptly. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Why Does Your Car Feel Like Stalling?
If your car is facing trouble idling, the reason might be a dirty or malfunctioning air control value. This component is responsible for measuring the air intake mixed with fuel before it reaches the engine and making necessary adjustments based on certain measurements.
This includes electrical system load, air intake, temperature, and more. It’s controlled by your car’s computer which allows the engine to return to its intended idling speed after accelerating. If the RPM drops below 800, it’s a sign of a problem with the valve.
Reasons Why Your Car Feels Like It’s Going to Stall When Stopped?
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most common reasons why your car may feel like stalling when stopped:
Faulty Air Sensor
Your car has sensors that are responsible for sharing information with the Engine Control Module regarding the airflow getting inside and outside the engine. The ECM uses this information to regulate the air accessing and leaving the combustion chamber.
In case the sensors become faulty, the engine may not be able to get enough power, which may make the car feel like it will stall when stopped. The best thing to do in that case is to replace the faulty oxygen or mass airflow sensor.
Fuel System Issues
Your car may also feel like stalling when stopped if it isn’t getting enough fuel. Any issue with a part of your car’s fuel system can cause this issue to occur. For instance, if your fuel pump is malfunctioning, the engine won’t receive enough fuel due to less pressure.
Additionally, in case it gets clogged, fuel won’t be able to reach the combustion chamber sufficiently. In that case, you should consider doing regular maintenance of your car’s fuel system to prevent such issues.
Problems with The Idle Air Control Valve
The Idle Air Control Valve of your vehicle is responsible for regulating your engine’s RPM when stopped. This is done by utilizing the information shared by the ECM. If this component gets damaged or dirty, your car’s RPM may drop below the optimal level.
This may make it feel like it will stall. However, fixing it is easy and all you have to do is clean the dirty air control valve or replace it if damaged.
Clogged EGR Valve
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve, abbreviated as EGR, does the job of recirculating carbon dioxide that lowers the temperature of your engine while accelerating. In case the carbon dioxide gets inside the chamber, it causes an air/fuel imbalance.
A clogged EGR valve may also stay open when idling which would allow for a continuous flow of carbon dioxide into the chamber, which causes the engine to supply less power than required. To fix this issue, clean the clogged EGR valve.
Failing Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your vehicle provide the charge required for the ignition process to begin in the combustion chamber. If they fail, the engine won’t receive enough power which will make the car feel like it will stall when stopped.
Usually, a failing spark plug is identified by vibrations accompanying it. In that case, replacing the faulty spark plugs is the only option you’ve got.
Can Stalling Damage Your Vehicle?
While stalling a car won’t cause any damage to it, this majorly depends on the gear your car is in at that time. If it stalls in the first or neutral gear, there’s very minimal risk of damage, that too for an aged engine.
However, in case the car stalls in second gear, you need to make sure that you hold the brake to prevent any potential damage. If this occurs in the third gear, you need to properly apply the brakes along with some throttle to avoid any damage.
Keep in mind that the risk of damage is the highest when there’s a short transmission ratio and high horsepower in the first gear.
What Can You Do About A Stalling Car?
If you’re facing a stalling motor in your vehicle, the best thing to do in this case is to get it diagnosed by a professional mechanic. This will help you identify the root cause of the issue and get it fixed promptly.
However, keep in mind that this comes at a significant cost as the diagnosis process consumes a considerable amount of time and requires many costly repairs as well, which are not assured to even completely sort the issue.
You may need to spend anywhere between $200-$2500 based on the severity of the issue. Additionally, in some cases, it may be beneficial for you to sell your car instead of paying for the costly repairs.
Final Words
If your car feels like it’s going to stall when stopped, it could be due to several reasons such as a clogged air filter, malfunctioning sensor, faulty fuel pump, and more. Make sure to get your vehicle inspected by a professional to fix this issue.
