There are many reasons that can cause a car to shut down. Thankfully, this doesn't usually mean a major repair is needed and can generally be fixed with some relatively simple adjustment or repair.
Steps
Step 1. Take into account the complexity of your machine before starting and take it to a trusted workshop
Modern cars (from the mid-nineties onwards) are run by a lot of electronics and it will be very complicated for you to carry out maintenance. You may need to take the car to the workshop to fix this problem.
Step 2. Check for any lights on in the dashboard
In modern cars with a high level of electronics, any fuel or ignition problem causes a warning light to illuminate. If you are unable to use a car diagnostic tool, or cannot get one, know that many garages rent them for free.
Step 3. Shutdowns will likely be caused by a problem with the electrical system or power circuit
Your engine stops spinning because it cannot burn the mixture in the cylinders; this can happen either because there is no fuel to burn, or because the engine does not generate enough electricity to make it ignite.
Remember that older engines may have an excessive amount of fuel going into the cylinders
Step 4. Drive the car along roads with steep inclines
In these cases, does the engine performance change or does it shut down? This could indicate that the fuel filter is clogged. Replacing the fuel filter is relatively cheap and easy once you know where it is located.
- Keep in mind that some vehicles have petrol filters in the tank, which are very difficult to reach.
- Filters for diesel and multi-fuel cars can cost more than 100 euros.
Step 5. Does the car have rough idling or does it shut down when idling?
If your car has a distributor, you may need to adjust the advance. This is an easy and free intervention, with the right tools and knowledge. If your engine is injection, you can check the injectors with a screwdriver or with an endoscopic camera. If the injectors are working they will make clicking or clicking sounds. If you don't hear a noise, the injector is probably broken; you can buy a new one from most parts dealers. There may also be an electrical fault with the circuit that controls the petrol injector. It also checks the ignition control unit and the idle motor.
Step 6. If your car has a distributor, you may want to consider changing the cap, rotor, wires and spark plugs
This surgery is a great set up - it can even be done by a relatively inexperienced person in repairs and will take a couple of hours with the right tools. It may sound absurd, but the cables and distributor also wear out over time and transmit less electricity. With this job you should solve your shutdown problems; even if they do not resolve, your car will perform better and have lower fuel consumption.
Step 7. If the engine keeps running after you shut it down, it is most likely a carburetor engine and the idle speed setting is too high
In this case, when you turn the key to turn it off, the engine stays on for a few seconds, then goes off with a muttering sound. This does not happen on electronic injection engines, because when you turn the key no more fuel is sent to the engine and the spark plugs are also disconnected.
Step 8. In rare cases, the engine may shut down due to what is commonly called "vapor lock", which is an event that occurs when the piping that carries gasoline to the engine becomes so hot that the fuel inside them boils. turning it into steam
Shutdown occurs because the fuel pump is designed to pump liquids and not vapor. However, this does not occur on injection engines. Also, a blockage in the gasoline tank breather system can cause a vacuum in the fuel line and thus prevent gasoline from reaching the engine. This problem is also typical of carburetor engines: injection engines generally have "closed circuit" fuel systems which make this situation very unlikely. Try opening the gas cap: if you hear a hissing noise, such as when you open a coffee can, then the tank cannot vent. Try now to turn on the machine; after a couple of tries it should go in motion. This mainly happens in older cars. If this is the case, it will likely happen again, so check the vent system for clogging. More often than not, the problem is caused by a cheap tank cap. A simple solution is to make a small hole in the petrol cap, in order to allow the air to enter the tank and avoid the formation of a vacuum; the perforated cap, however, should not be used for a long time.
Advice
- Maintenance: Most people are unaware that maintenance has changed completely since the days of points and capacitors. Now, in addition to spark plugs and petrol filters, oxygen sensors must also be replaced every 150,000 km. This will already improve fuel consumption more than anything, apart from correct tire pressure. These sensors may also cause shutdowns if they are not functioning properly. Another thing to check is that the mass air flow sensor is not dirty: this would cause poor performance and possible flooding. It can be cleaned with the special cleaner, which is nothing more than a quick dry cleaner for electrical contacts.
- If you can find a friend who knows how to fix cars, you can ask him to teach you how to do these things.
- ATTENTION: even if in theory a "friend" knows how to repair a car, make sure you have all the information possible to understand if he has only worked on some models or on a large variety of makes, models and eras. No two cars are completely identical, even if the make, model and year of production are the same. If you decide to allow someone other than yourself or a trusted garage to diagnose a problem with your vehicle, you run the risk of further damage to your vehicle (of any kind) due to a large lack of experience of the person trying the repair. If this happens to you, you will be forced to pay for the repair of the initial problem and all the damages that your "friend" has done (this risk can be completely eliminated by relying on a workshop that has experience and insurance to cover the damages. caused by them).
- Tips on shutdowns:
- Some modern cars may crash on hot days due to the fuel pump. This is located in the back of the tank and is cooled by the petrol itself. During the hottest days, after the car has been running for some time, the fuel pump may overheat and stop working, causing the vehicle to shut down. To prevent this problem, always keep the tank filled to at least 3/8, otherwise you may find yourself forced to call a friend and ask him to bring you a petrol can!
- Many modern fuel-injected vehicles have an idle airflow control valve. This will likely freeze with dirt over the years, resulting in an unstable idle and sudden shutdowns. Most of these devices can be removed and cleaned with a WD-40 or a throttle body cleaner. A clogged throttle body with debris can also cause the same problems.
