Car Starts Then Dies No Check Engine Light

Introduction

If your car starts then dies and there is no check engine light, it can be a frustrating and confusing problem to diagnose. There are a number of potential causes, and the most likely cause will vary depending on the make and model of your car.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most common causes of this problem and provide some tips on how to troubleshoot and fix it.

Possible Causes

Fuel pump failure: The fuel pump is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine. If the fuel pump fails, the engine will not be able to run and the car will die.
Fuel filter clogged: The fuel filter is responsible for removing impurities from the fuel. If the fuel filter becomes clogged, it can restrict the flow of fuel to the engine and cause the car to die.
Ignition coil failure: The ignition coil is responsible for creating the spark that ignites the fuel in the engine. If the ignition coil fails, the engine will not be able to run and the car will die.
Spark plug failure: The spark plugs are responsible for delivering the spark from the ignition coil to the engine. If the spark plugs fail, the engine will not be able to run and the car will die.
Air filter clogged: The air filter is responsible for removing impurities from the air that is drawn into the engine. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can restrict the flow of air to the engine and cause the car to die.
Mass airflow sensor failure: The mass airflow sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of air that is drawn into the engine. If the mass airflow sensor fails, the engine will not be able to run and the car will die.
Throttle position sensor failure: The throttle position sensor is responsible for measuring the position of the throttle valve. If the throttle position sensor fails, the engine will not be able to run and the car will die.

Troubleshooting

If your car starts then dies and there is no check engine light, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.

Check the fuel pump: The fuel pump is located in the fuel tank. To check the fuel pump, you can listen for the sound of the pump when you turn the key to the “on” position. If you do not hear the sound of the pump, it may be faulty.
Check the fuel filter: The fuel filter is usually located under the hood of the car. To check the fuel filter, you can remove it and inspect it for any signs of clogging.
Check the ignition coil: The ignition coil is usually located on top of the engine. To check the ignition coil, you can remove the spark plug wires and inspect the coil for any signs of damage.
Check the spark plugs: The spark plugs are usually located in the cylinder head. To check the spark plugs, you can remove them and inspect them for any signs of wear or damage.
Check the air filter: The air filter is usually located in the air intake system. To check the air filter, you can remove it and inspect it for any signs of clogging.
Check the mass airflow sensor: The mass airflow sensor is usually located in the air intake system. To check the mass airflow sensor, you can remove it and inspect it for any signs of damage.
Check the throttle position sensor: The throttle position sensor is usually located on the throttle body. To check the throttle position sensor, you can remove it and inspect it for any signs of damage.

Fixing

Once you have identified the cause of the problem, you can begin to fix it.

If the fuel pump is faulty, you will need to replace it. If the fuel filter is clogged, you will need to replace it. If the ignition coil is faulty, you will need to replace it. If the spark plugs are worn or damaged, you will need to replace them. If the air filter is clogged, you will need to replace it. If the mass airflow sensor is faulty, you will need to replace it. If the throttle position sensor is faulty, you will need to replace it.

Conclusion

If your car starts then dies and there is no check engine light, it can be a frustrating and confusing problem to diagnose. However, by following the troubleshooting tips in this article, you can identify the cause of the problem and fix it.