Q: Car dies at stoplight

asked by on February 12, 2016

My car will cut off at a stoplight. Then, it will start up again. It also started chugging.

Car is stalling Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Engine performance problems such as the ones you describe, can be caused by many things. Anything from a vacuum leak, to a bad fuel pump, can cause the symptoms described. I would recommend having the vehicle looked at by a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, in order to determine the cause of your car’s stalling issue.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Is There a Difference Between a Car's Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses?
The difference between the upper and lower radiator hoses is where on the engine they are used. They are made of the same material (EPDM), so they both meet the requirements of thermal stability, pressurization, and life expectancy. The upper...
Car shakes and vibrates
A concern like this can be produced by a number of different things. Such as; a large vacuum leak in the intake system, lack of airflow to the intake system, lack of fuel delivery caused by a failing fuel pump,...
p0011 code,check engine light one, changed bank 1 vvt solenoid and check engine light still on?
The P0011 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0011-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-a-timing-over-advanced-or-system-performance-bank-1-by-jay-safford) is typically caused by oil issues with the car. I would particularly make sure the engine oil level is not low. The VVT solenoid relies on proper oil levels to do their job. If they don't...
A/C blows hot air - completely stumped after a number of repairs...
It sounds like you did not replace the expansion valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/expansion-valve-orifice-tube-replacement) when you replaced the compressor and accumulator. The condenser, evaporator should be flushed out also. You should remove and replace the expansion valve filter since it is clogged causing...
Code p0010 camshaft actuator comes up, and mis fires. Just replaced intake manifold and these weren't issues before that.
Hi there. There are a few possibilities here. It is possible that you had a valve timing issue prior to working on the manifold. These engines have a ton of issues with the balance shaft and the valve timing as...
I have a 2008 Saturn aura... it won't start my dash board keeps saying engine power reduced
Engine power reduced is a fail safe mode that many cars use today to protect the engine or transmission from further damage and to keep the driver safe when the engine or transmission is experiencing a critical failure. In your...
Engine Light comes on and car wont accelerate
What you are describing sounds like a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement) monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This sensor relays vital...
Will the idler pulley keep my car from cranking . 1999 Mercury Mystique
Hi - a failing idler pulley (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-idler-pulley) can certainly keep your alternator from charging properly, resulting in a dead battery, which would prevent the engine from starting of course. The idler pulley bearing may have been failing, or possibly a...
My girlfriends 2006 Toyota, 6 cyl, 4WD 4Runner's fuel gauge reads 1/4 tank when actually empty. What could be most likely cause?
Hello, and thank you for writing in. On most newer 4Runners, the fuel pump includes the fuel level as part of the unit commonly referred to as a fuel module. It is likely that the level is not calibrated, dirty,...

Related articles

10 Biggest Car-Related Headaches and What to Do About Them
You You don’t want to, but if you're a car owner it's inevitable that at some point you will experience car troubles. It's also fairly certain that the machine you rely on will cause you grief when you least expect...
2012 Chrysler 200 vs. 2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Which One Should I Buy?
When you are looking for a small-range sedan, you need to get somewhere quickly and inexpensively, and may even need to take a few kids with you. Slightly larger than a commuter car, these mid-size options offer decent gas mileage,...
How Long Does a Throttle/Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Last?
The The throttle/accelerator pedal position sensor detects the position of the accelerator pedal. This information is then transmitted to the vehicle’s computer - the engine control module (ECM). From there, the data is then sent from the computer to the...