Car Shuts Off While Driving: What Do You Need to Know?

There’s nothing more frustrating than when your car shuts off while driving. Whether you’re on a busy highway or a quiet road, the hazards of such a situation will stress out any driver, regardless of how experienced. However, is there a way to anticipate a potential breakdown? Or is it a surprise you have to be ready to tackle when the time comes?

With the situation seemingly unavoidable, a clear understanding of the key reasons and ways to fix the problem is non-negotiable. Read on for a straightforward yet informative guide on what would cause a car to shut off while driving and the most feasible solutions to address the problem.

Why Your Car Shuts Off While Driving: Key Reasons and Ways to Fix the Problem

Experiencing your vehicle coming to a halt all of a sudden in the middle of the road is downright dangerous. It can lead to accidents, traffic tie-ups, and an overwhelming sense of panic both for the driver and those nearby. 

Knowing why your car shuts off while driving will make you more vigilant about any disruptions in your vehicle’s performance. That way, you’ll be more aware of warning signs and take action before they escalate. 

Several potential culprits could be behind your car trouble, each requiring careful attention to diagnose and resolve. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key issues that may cause your vehicle to shut off while driving, along with the most effective and reasonable solutions. Understanding these factors will help you address the problem efficiently and get back on the road safely.

Fuel-Related Issues 

If your car turns off while driving, the fuel system might be to blame. Here are key aspects to check if you suspect this could be the root cause of an unexpected halt.  

• Empty fuel tank. Among the painfully obvious but commonly overlooked reasons a car shuts down while driving is not having enough fuel in the car tank. Ensure you always have enough fuel to get you from point A to point B without trouble. 
• Defective fuel gauge. Sometimes, running out of gas is not your fault – it could be due to your car’s failing fuel indicator. A fuel gauge that reads empty when the tank is full, or vice versa, leaves you guessing how much fuel you actually have. 
• Clogged fuel filter. Over time, the fuel filter collects dirt and debris, obstructing the fuel flow to the engine. Driving long distances with a congested fuel filter could make your engine misfire. If that’s why your car randomly shuts off, you might notice the engine control indicator light illuminated on the dashboard. 
• Faulty fuel pump. The engine relies on a steady and timely fuel supply to ensure the combustion process goes smoothly to generate power. A fuel pump is responsible for delivering fuel from the tank to the engine. If it malfunctions, the fuel flow gets hampered, and the engine could halt due to insufficient fuel supply. 
• Low-quality fuel. Impurities in the fuel content undermine your vehicle’s performance. Accumulated dirt or debris can clog the fuel pump and deteriorate the way your engine works.  

Solution: Issues with your car’s fuel system could cause your automobile to shut off at any moment. Regular maintenance routines, checking the fuel level in your tank before setting out on a journey, and getting high-quality fuel are the shortcuts to prolonging the lifespan of your vehicle’s fuel system and averting a scenario when your car shuts off while driving.

Electrical Problems 

Your vehicle’s electrical system could also be the culprit. Here are the most common electrical problems to watch out for. 

• Faulty alternator. This auto part is the heart of your vehicle’s electrical system. The alternator has two chief roles. It replenishes the battery and powers all electrical components while the car’s engine is running. If the alternator fails, your battery will drain, and the entire electrical system will stop operating properly. A bad alternator imperils your safety by increasing the likelihood of your car stopping in the middle of the road or some critical auto parts like headlights, turn signals, and windshield wipers ceasing to work. 
• Drained battery. A damaged battery that doesn’t hold a charge properly is another reason your car might stall. The way to recognize it’s a drained battery that causes trouble is to listen for a rapid clicking noise when you try to start the engine.
• Loose wiring. Loose battery terminals might be another reason your car shuts off while driving. Loose or corroded wires might disrupt the transfer of electric current between the battery and the starter motor. 
• Malfunctioning crankshaft position sensor. A crankshaft position sensor is a compact electronic device mounted near the crankshaft. As the crankshaft rotates, it passes by the sensor, which collects data about its position and rotational speed. Then, the sensor sends this information to the engine control unit (ECU). If the crankshaft position sensor becomes defective, the check engine light comes on, as the engine might misfire and operate less effectively. 
• Defective throttle position sensor. If you’re experiencing sluggish acceleration, unexpected stalling, and unpredictable throttle response, the throttle position sensor could be the culprit. This small yet invaluable device monitors the position of the throttle and sends this data to the ECU. When this auto part malfunctions, the ECU receives flawed data, which, in turn, leads to disruptions in engine performance. 
• Faulty engine control unit (ECU). The ECU is your vehicle’s brain. It’s a small electronic device that optimizes the engine performance. This unit determines how much fuel should be injected into the engine based on the data collected by sensors, including the above-described crankshaft position sensor. If the ECU fails or receives inaccurate data, it can undermine engine function and cause your car to stall. 
• Blown car fuses. Automotive fuses protect your entire car's electrical system. They help disconnect the electric circuit if they detect any sign of potentially hazardous levels of current. The good news is: that blown fuses do not create problems, they nip them in the bud. Still, if the automotive fuse connecting the fuel pump or ignition system gets blown, it might cause your car to come to a halt. 

Solution: Follow a consistent maintenance plan to ensure any electrical problems are spotted early on. If you’ve heard a rapid clicking noise when you try to start the car, pay attention to the battery. If you think it’s the reason behind all the headaches, jumpstart your vehicle and head to the nearest car service to have your battery diagnosed. 

If the battery has started acting up, it’s also crucial to check the alternator. Finally, handling loose connections or corroded wiring by yourself could lead to a dangerous situation, so contact a professional mechanic to fix the identified issue. Likewise, more complex diagnostic work is required to fix faulty sensors. To ensure the problem is identified accurately, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional auto electrician.

Ignition System Failures 

When the ignition system malfunctions, the engine suffers. Problems with this part of your vehicle prevent the engine from getting the spark it needs to get things running. Here’s what to consider when the ignition system is the main suspect. 

• Bad ignition switch. A faulty ignition switch can be why your car shuts off while driving. It can also make it difficult — if not impossible — to start the car and keep it running smoothly. Over time, the wear and tear from thousands of key cycles is what causes the switch to break down. 
• Faulty ignition coils. If you hear spluttering or coughing noises coming from under the hood or the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, have a look at the ignition coils. These auto components are in charge of generating electrical pulses needed to ignite the mixture of fuel and air within engine cylinders. Failing ignition packs hinder the flow of electrical current to the spark plugs, ultimately causing your car’s engine to stop running. 
• Bad spark plugs. Defective spark plugs make your engine misfire or just stop running altogether. If you’ve been experiencing start-up problems, slowed-down acceleration, and poor fuel economy, it’s worth checking your spark plugs to prevent further damage. 

Solution. If you’ve noticed any warning signs indicating potential problems with the electrical system, get your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic. Proper maintenance routine and timely replacement of defective or worn-out ignition coils and spark plugs play a huge part in keeping your automobile running smoothly.

Mechanical Failures 

The engine rotating assembly is the central mechanical system at work for any vehicle. If something goes wrong there, you’ll surely experience disruptions in your car’s performance. But that’s not all when it comes to potential mechanical issues that could lead to engine shutdown. 

• Broken connecting rod. A connecting rod connects the piston to the crankshaft. The collapse of this auto part leads to insufficient compression in the engine cylinders, ultimately leading to a sudden loss of power and poorer engine performance. In some cases, a broken connecting rod might result in a cracked engine block, which calls for costly repairs. 
• Timing belt failure. This could be another reason the car shuts off while driving. When the timing belt snaps while the engine is running, the pistons and valves can collide. While a timing belt should operate just fine for anywhere between 60,000 to 100,000 miles, having it checked regularly for any early signs of breakage can prevent costly repairs down the line. 
• Transmission problems. If the transmission seems to be the root cause behind your car’s sudden shutdown, check the torque converter and the condition of the transmission fluid. A faulty torque converter sends your engine to a complete halt when the car is idling or moving at lower speeds. Plus, contaminated or low transmission fluid can undermine transmission performance and cause the engine to stall. 
• Clogged exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. This auto part is in charge of getting some of the exhaust gases back into the engine cylinders to eliminate the emissions. If the valve becomes clogged or stuck, it might cause an unexpected stalling. 

Solution: If any mechanical issue surfaces, the most reasonable step is to contact roadside assistance to get your car off the road safely and avert further damage to your vehicle’s crucial components.

Overheating 

A perpetual cycle of motion under the hood of your car generates intense heat, which makes a cooling system critical. While it prevents overheating, the system itself can suffer damage. And when it does, the signs are hard to ignore. Here’s what to look out for to keep your car running smoothly. 

• Leaks of coolant fluid. Such leakage compromises the ability of the cooling system to keep the engine’s temperature within an acceptable range. If the engine has started heating up more than usual, check for any puddles under your vehicle to spot a potential leaking problem. 
• Faulty radiator. A defective radiator could also cause engine overheating. Watch out for any signs of coolant fluid dripping from the radiator. 
• Defective water pump. This auto part is responsible for circulating the coolant fluid through the engine. A failing water pump makes the engine overheat. 

Solution: Ensure that the levels of the coolant fluid are always satisfactory. Should any unexpected leakage occur, inspect the radiator and the water pump carefully to detect any potential issues. Replace defective components to avoid a situation when your car shuts off while driving due to overheating.

If Your Car Has Started Shutting Off, Consider Selling It to JunkCarsUs

If your car keeps shutting off while driving, the root cause of the problem might be too costly to handle. As highlighted above, many minor issues that make your car shut down while driving are indeed fixable. Yet, if your automobile has developed a habit of coming to a sudden halt, the repairs might not be worth your effort, time, and money. 

One of the best ways to spare you the headache is to sell a car even if it’s still running. And it’s where JunkCarsUs makes all the difference to the process. JunkCarsUs offers competitive prices for junk cars to make sure you receive the best value for your vehicle. 

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