Why does my car shut off?
Asked by
bigboss (
990
)
January 25th, 2010
ok so its actually my friends car and nobody knows whats wrong with it. maybe someone has had a similar problem. ok she tells me that the car stalls while running and also at lights. all the service lights on the dash, the ac, the radio, the headlights, flicker and eventually die out ending with the car stalling. she can then wait a bit and eventually start the car again and get it moving but with less power. the mechanics keep telling her its not her alternator and she tells me she bought a new battery for the car. what could this be?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
11 Answers
Id sounds like some sort of electrical short. The ignition maybe?
Take it to Auto Zone or Discount Auto, have them scan the computer and youll get a print out of whats wrong shortage wise.
I’ve come accross cars with similar sounding faults in my old work. The most common causes were a faulty EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) Valve (they need replacing), a carbonised Throttle Body (it can be cleaned), or a corroded earthing wire (they neeed remaking). It all depends on what type of car though.
@TheJoker thanks it sounds about right (have no idea lol) ill let her know.
@JesusWasAJewbot i think she’s tried that im not sure, ill ask her. but thanks.
@bigboss…. Hehehe, no worries, no one outside the trade knows ;)
I once had a problem like that and when I bought a new battery the car would die again. So my husband took a look at it and noticed the clamps that hold onto the electrical part of the battery were rusted and one of them where loose. He cleaned it and tighten the grip and it ran like a charm after that. Of course neither of us are mechanics but its worth a shot to at least check.
I also had a nissan that did the same thing and we got a recall to fix something and it has been running like a charm. It had a defective part but I don’t remember what it was. You may want to check with the car dealership and see if there are any recalls and if there is, what was it for. If there is a recall for your problem than it won’t cost you anything in repairs.
@Pandora yea i figured the same thing and i told her to check that. thanks.
First, how many miles on this vehicle? second, has the timing belt ever been changed? loss of power is a good sign of a broken timing belt.
What make/model/year of car is this? A good auto-electrician would be able to tell you what the problem is quickly and easily. It is definitely an electrical fault, and it may be useful to see if the battery leads are faulty, because that is a quick and easy test. I don’t really have enough information to give any indication of what it would be.
Not the certified mechanic of the discussion, but could it be the alternator or one of the connected belts?
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
