Q: Car sputters/stops at red lights and won't restart
While in traffic or stopped at a red light/stop sign, my car sputters and then stops completely. When I put it back in 'park' it starts up. However, now it will not restart unless I wait a couple of hours; then it will start. I surely would appreciate your expert suggestions as to what this is.
Recommended Services
| Engine is sputtering Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
| Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement | $120.83 - $900.50 | Get a Quote |
Hello. This can be caused by a few things. Most of the time it is a failure in the crankshaft position sensor. The sensor fails and causes the computer to lose engine speed signal which turns it off. I have also seen the fuel pump overheat and cause the pressure to drop or the relay for the fuel pump to fail and cause this. Both are common issues. I usually monitor the crank signal when this occurs to see if it is lost before it stalls. If it is, then I replace the sensor. If not then I check the fuel pressure. If you need to have this done, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your sputtering issue and replace the crankshaft position sensor if necessary.
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