Eager to hit the road, but the moment you turn the key, your car starts — only to stall right after?
When a car starts and then dies, it could be a symptom of insufficient fuel or something more serious, like a dying battery or alternator.
Read on as we cover all possible causes, highlight the fixes, and outline the costs to ensure your car doesn’t stall on you again.
This Article Contains:
- 13 Reasons Why Your Car Starts and Dies (with Fixes)
- How Do You Diagnose a Car That Starts and Then Dies?
- How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Car That Dies After Starting?
13 Reasons Why Your Car Starts and Dies (with Fixes)
Here are all the possible issues that can cause your car to stall shortly after starting, along with how a mechanic will fix each problem:
1. Lack of Fuel
If you’ve run out of gasoline, but there’s some leftover fuel in the fuel rail, you’ll hear the engine cranking, and the car may start. However, your vehicle will die the second this gasoline depletes.
How to fix: Refill your fuel tank.
2. Failing Fuel Pump
The fuel pump extracts fuel from the fuel tank and delivers it to the injectors.
However, a bad fuel pump (from contaminated fuel and overheating) won’t deliver fuel to the engine. If there’s still fuel in the fuel line, the engine will start briefly and then die. You’ll also notice an illuminated check engine light.
How to fix: Check and replace faulty fuel system parts such as the fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator.
3. Clogged Fuel Filter
The fuel filter stops contaminants from entering the engine. Over time, it can clog with debris, preventing fuel from reaching the engine. Eventually, the injectors will run out of fuel, and the car will die. This fuel system issue might also trigger the engine light.
How to fix: Replace the clogged fuel filter.
4. Faulty Fuel Injectors
The fuel injectors regulate the amount of fuel entering the combustion chamber. However, a fuel injector issue could starve the engine of fuel. Common problems include clogging due to poor fuel quality, leaking injectors, and faulty wiring or springs that prevent the injector from opening or closing.
If there’s some fuel in the combustion chamber or fuel line, the engine may start but die immediately.
How to fix: Clean the filters (or replace them if they’re damaged) and replace any leaking seals between the injectors and fuel rail.
5. Faulty Spark Plugs
Spark plugs create the spark needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture. However, a dirty or worn spark plug may not ignite the mixture properly. This ignition system issue can cause starting issues, poor engine performance, misfires, and trigger the check engine light.
Note: A bad ignition coil can also cause a similar problem.
How to fix: Replace the plugs if the electrodes are worn, and replace the faulty ignition coil (if necessary).
6. Flooded Engine
A flooded engine occurs when excess fuel in the engine’s cylinders prevents the spark plugs from igniting the fuel-air mixture. This happens for many reasons, such as pumping the accelerator excessively when starting the car, cold weather, and oxygen sensor issues.
How to fix: Clear the flooded engine by fully pressing the gas pedal while starting the car and clean the spark plugs.
7. Dying Battery or Alternator
If your battery is dying, it may have just enough power to start the car, and a faulty alternator (caused by wiring or pulley issues) may not charge it while running. So even though your car will start, it’ll die soon after the battery charge depletes.
How to fix: Replace the failing alternator or battery (or both).
8. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF)
The MAF sensor measures the air flowing into the engine, helping the ECU (Engine Control Unit) provide the right amount of air and fuel for combustion.
However, a faulty MAF sensor might give incorrect air measurements, throwing off the air-fuel ratio. This reduces engine performance and activates the check engine light.
How to fix: Clean the MAF sensor if it’s clogged or replace it if damaged.
9. Vacuum Leak
Vacuum leaks result in excess air entering the combustion chamber, unbalancing the air-fuel mixture and causing the engine to stall. You may also experience reduced fuel efficiency and rough idle.
How to fix: Seal the leak and replace the damaged components (vacuum hoses or intake manifold gasket).
10. Bad Idle Air Control Valve
The throttle body regulates the engine’s airflow while driving and closes when the car idles, cutting off the air supply. The IAC allows air to bypass the throttle body and enter the engine to prevent stalling when the car isn’t in motion.
If it goes bad (from debris or electrical issues), the engine will stall as air can’t enter the combustion chamber.
How to fix: Clean the valve with a carb cleaner, but replace it if idle issues persist.
11. Faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve
The EGR valve redirects the exhaust air into the engine to reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel efficiency. If the EGR valve is stuck open, excessive air enters the intake manifold, causing a lean air-fuel mixture, which is why your car starts and then dies.
How to fix: Clean the clogged EGR valve and replace it if it’s damaged.
12. Faulty Anti-Theft System
Modern anti-theft systems prevent your vehicle from getting stolen by deactivating the:
- Fuel pump: This prevents power from reaching the pump, stopping it from building pressure in the fuel rail. The engine may crank, but the car won’t keep running.
- Engine: If the security system detects an incorrect key engaging the ignition, the immobilizer shuts down the engine.
However, even if you use the right key, a faulty car alarm system or immobilizer can interfere with the ignition system.
How to fix: Replace the faulty electrical system components (wiring and sensors) or the battery in your key fob. Also, reprogram your key and repair or replace the immobilizer (if needed).
13. Bad Engine Control Unit (ECU)
The ECU controls various engine functions, including the fuel injection system.
If it’s faulty (due to wiring, circuit, software, or sensor issues), it may not regulate the air-fuel ratio for combustion. Although some fuel may be available to start the car, it will die if the ECU doesn’t regulate the right amount of gas in the combustion chamber.
How to fix: Common solutions include updating the software, repairing a faulty ECU circuit, or replacing the ECU.
Curious about which of these problems your vehicle has?
Find out next.
How Do You Diagnose a Car That Starts and Then Dies?
Diagnosing a car that starts and then dies is complicated since it involves checking multiple parts. So, the best thing to do is consult a mechanic.
Here’s what they’ll do:
- Check the fault codes: Using an OBD-2 scanner, they’ll read the problem code associated with the issue. For example, a P0230 code indicates a bad fuel pump. Based on the trouble code, they’ll perform the following tests.
- Test the fuel pressure: The mechanic will use a fuel pressure gauge to determine if there’s low fuel pressure or an issue with the fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pressure gauge reading should range between 4 and 60 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).
- Inspect the engine components: They’ll look for a clogged fuel filter, leaky fuel injector, defective MAF sensor, worn spark plug, and leaking vacuum lines.
- Test the car battery: They’ll set the multimeter to 15-20 volts, attach it to the positive and negative battery terminals, and take the reading (which should be approximately 12.6 volts).
Once the mechanic has diagnosed the issue, they’ll begin fixing it.
Let’s examine the possible costs for these repairs.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Car That Dies After Starting?
Here are your estimated charges for fixing the issue (including parts and labor per hour):
- Fuel filters: $70 to $220
- Spark plugs: $100 to $500
- Vacuum leak: $100 to $1,500
- EGR valve: $100 to $1,000
- Battery: $100 to $1,100
- IAC valve: $120 to $500
- Alternator: $200 to $1,200
- MAF sensor: $230 to $350
- Fuel injectors: $300 to $2,000
- Fuel Pump: $1,100 to $1,300
- ECU: $1300 to $3,300
Revive Your Car with AutoNation Mobile Service
Several issues, from a clogged fuel filter to an electrical system problem, cause your car to start and die. While you can resolve a minor issue like a lack of fuel, severe problems, like ECU damage, require professional solutions.
Can’t drive to a mechanic?
AutoNation Mobile Service mechanics can come to you. We’re available seven days a week, and all repairs come with a 12-month,12,000-mile warranty.
Contact us to address any car trouble you may have right from your driveway.