- Car Engine Stops When Stopped: Causes and Solutions
- 1. Idle Air Control Valve (IACV)
- Symptoms of a faulty IACV
- How to fix a faulty IACV
- 2. Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
- Symptoms of a faulty TPS
- How to fix a faulty TPS
- 3. Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
- Symptoms of a faulty MAF sensor
- How to fix a faulty MAF sensor
- 4. Vacuum Leak
- Symptoms of a vacuum leak
- How to fix a vacuum leak
- 5. Fuel Pump
- Symptoms of a faulty fuel pump
- How to fix a faulty fuel pump
- Conclusion
Car Engine Stops When Stopped: Causes and Solutions
It can be pretty frustrating when your car engine stops when you stop at a red light or a stop sign. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common ones are:
1. Idle Air Control Valve (IACV)
The IACV is a small valve that controls the amount of air that flows into the engine when it’s idling. If the IACV is faulty, it can cause the engine to stall when you stop.
Symptoms of a faulty IACV
- Engine stalls when you stop
- Rough idle
- Poor fuel economy
How to fix a faulty IACV
The IACV can be cleaned or replaced. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can take your car to a mechanic.
2. Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
The TPS is a sensor that tells the engine how much throttle is being applied. If the TPS is faulty, it can cause the engine to stall when you stop.
Symptoms of a faulty TPS
- Engine stalls when you stop
- Poor acceleration
- Check engine light
How to fix a faulty TPS
The TPS can be adjusted or replaced. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can take your car to a mechanic.
3. Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
The MAF sensor measures the amount of air that flows into the engine. If the MAF sensor is faulty, it can cause the engine to stall when you stop.
Symptoms of a faulty MAF sensor
- Engine stalls when you stop
- Poor acceleration
- Check engine light
How to fix a faulty MAF sensor
The MAF sensor can be cleaned or replaced. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can take your car to a mechanic.
4. Vacuum Leak
A vacuum leak can cause the engine to stall when you stop because it allows unmetered air to enter the engine. This can cause the air-fuel mixture to become too lean, which can lead to stalling.
Symptoms of a vacuum leak
- Engine stalls when you stop
- Rough idle
- Poor fuel economy
- Hissing sound from under the hood
How to fix a vacuum leak
Vacuum leaks can be difficult to find. You can try using a smoke machine to find the leak, or you can take your car to a mechanic.
5. Fuel Pump
The fuel pump supplies fuel to the engine. If the fuel pump is faulty, it can cause the engine to stall when you stop because the engine will not be able to get enough fuel.
Symptoms of a faulty fuel pump
- Engine stalls when you stop
- Difficulty starting the engine
- Loss of power
How to fix a faulty fuel pump
The fuel pump can be replaced. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can take your car to a mechanic.
Conclusion
If your car engine stops when you stop, it’s important to have the problem diagnosed and fixed as soon as possible. A faulty IACV, TPS, MAF sensor, vacuum leak, or fuel pump can all cause this problem. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can help to identify and fix the problem.
