Q: Car starts cutting off after running with a/c

asked by on July 31, 2017

I live in a hot area. When I started my car with the a/c its normal however after driving a while with the a/c like 15 minutes or so it started cutting off and when I gave it gas it died on the road. I turned off the a/c and waited 5 minutes or so. I turned it on it started up and running and drove normal but with the a/c OFF. note: this happened more than once and only happens with the a/c ON otherwise it never cuts off on me with the a/c OFF. Another note: it happens in the day and night. Is it a weak fuel pump not able to handle the load of the a/c? Is it a weak alternator not supplying enough power to the pump under the load of the a/c?

My car has 277000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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

Smoking exhaust on starts
The smoke coming from your exhaust may be from three things. The normal start up moisture in the exhaust is considered normal if the smoke looks white and is not too heavy and goes away within a minute. The next...
Fuel promblem
You may have excessive dirt inside the tank that has clogged the fuel filter to the point that the dirt has gotten into the injectors, causing the misfire. Remove the fuel filter and blow through it to see if it...
Spark Plugs spark once
Either a failing crankshaft sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement) or impulse wheel could be the cause of the fluctuating RPM reading. The crankshaft sensor signal is often used to start both fuel pump operation and start the ignition coils with the camshaft sensor...
DTC Help Request
You might have a problem with fretting corrosion in the connectors of the modules of the vehicle. There is a technical bulletin (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-use-a-technical-service-bulletin-by-parker-hill) out for your Saturn VUE: 09-06-03-004D, dated December 2010 for corrosion in the small connector pins of...
Bottome of vehicle makes a helicopter sound when driving at slow speeds
The sound you are hearing is related to the tires moving from what it sounds. The first thing to inspect is proper tire inflation. Tires make strange noises when they are low or damaged. Second needs to be the brakes....
My truck has the trouble code P0700, what does it mean?
If you have downloaded Diagnostic Trouble Code P0700 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0700-obd-ii-trouble-code-transmission-control-system-malfunction-by-spencer-clayton), that means a fault has been detected in one or more of the following transmission components: the transmission control module, the transmission valve body, the shift solenoid(s), and/or the wiring harness...
question
Chime noises, or any alarms for that matter, that just occur out of nowhere represent electrical faults that would have to be traced during an electrical components diagnostic (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electrical-components-are-not-working-inspection). The only "connection" between the chime going off when the accelerator...
do i need to take my car to BMW for an oil change or brake fluid flush
In regard to your question, the criteria of relevance insofar as "who" should work on your car is simply that the person you select is appropriately trained, skilled, as knowledgeable as possible, knows how to follow instructions, and is conscientious,...
Why does my car keep dying on me?
Hi there. I think your best option here is to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car starts then stalls inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-starts-and-then-dies-inspection). In most cases, if you suspect a PCM or ECU issue is...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 BMW Z4
BMW’s BMW’s entry in the hardtop roadster segment, the Z4 delivers the ideal combination of performance, looks, and standard comfort features. This two seater is not only classically stylish and heavy on extras that aren’t, well, extra, it’s also the...
How to Use a BMW With Comfort Access Technology
The The BMW comfort access technology was introduced in 2002 as a keyless remote system that uses sensors to detect where the owner is in proximity to the vehicle within 1.5 meters (about 5 feet), allowing him or her to...
Top Automotive News & Stories: October 1-7
BMW i5 images leak, an ultra-lux Jeep, hydrogen-fueled Colorado ZH2, Fisker's electric future, record plug-in sales, NHTSA Road to Zero, and more.