Q: I was driving home and came to a stop light and it just stalled and refuse to start.

asked by on August 08, 2016

I was recently driving my Econoline 250 van home and I came to an intersection stopped at the light and all of a sudden it stalled I try starting it it will not start, the fuel pump is turning on and getting fuel to the fuel filter and I'm getting the ignition I'm getting a spark from the ignition coil. Someone told me maybe my cooling temperature sensor I don't know I have new spark plug wires a new distributor new spark plugs new rotor and cap I don't know why it won't start? I sprayed starting fluid in the intake were my breather filter is and it still won't start.

My car has 162000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

From what you’ve described, there may be a piece of carbon lodged in the EGR valve. This can cause a stall and hard start conditions. This accounts for the vehicle having fuel pressure and spark still.

Try to see if the EGR valve is stuck by holding the throttle at full throttle to see if it starts. If it still does not start then the distributor would need to be checked to see if the ignition module has failed. You can do this by disconnecting the timing connector near the ignition module or the battery.

The spark should also be checked at the spark plugs to make sure you did not just have a bad rotor or cap.

If you need help with these checks, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can come to you in order to properly diagnose your starting issue and fix the problem accordingly.

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

When Should Fog Lights Be Used?
There is a great difference between "fog lights" and "driving lights." Not only are the lights themselves different, but the reason for their use differs, as well. Fog lights are only used in certain scenarios (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/when-should-fog-lights-be-used). For example, in times...
How do I use the glove box?
The glove box provides you with handy storage for a number of different items. It’s a convenient location for storing your owner’s manual, insurance information and more, but it can hold much more, as well. It’s also lockable. Here’s how...
Car starts and then turns off
I would recommend starting with having your vehicle checked for trouble codes with an OBD2 scanner. Once the codes have been pulled by a knowledgable technician, a strategic diagnosis plan can be made. The Check Engine Light code will aid...
Why does my truck cut off when the TPS is unplugged
Hello there, A few different items can cause the truck to shut off this way. The TPS may not be the cause. Most likely causes would be a vacuum leak, MAF sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-mass-airflow-sensor), oxygen sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-oxygen-sensor), or an exhaust leak....
My car is not getting fuel
You should have the engine scanned for codes first to see if there is a code to diagnose for no fuel pressure. The fuel pump will not run if the inertia switch is tripped. Look behind the right passenger side...
i would like to know if i can do oil changes for other people and not be a qualified mechanic
Hi there. Changing oil, oil filters and air filters is typically a job that an average or non-professionally trained or certified mechanic can complete. It really depends on your comfort level, tools and accessibility to appropriate disposal methods (as oil...
Jack oil in power steering.
Jack oil will not hurt the power steering system as the system can handle power steering fluid and transmission fluid. As long as the oil is about the same viscosity of the fluid, then it will be okay since it...
Car misfiring on cyclinder three, also real slow. accellerating when I come to a stop could al of this be linked together?
Hi Sharon. Thanks for contacting us today. Typically an engine misfire like you've described will also cause lack of acceleration and reduced fuel economy as well. Isolating the source of the engine misfire can be tricky, as it could be...

Related articles

How Car Keypad Locks Work
Pioneered Pioneered by Ford, keypads let you lock, unlock without keys Pioneered by Ford, keypad door systems began appearing on high-end car and SUV products in the early 1980s. Ford took advantage of the then-new digital computer revolution – the...
2012 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2012 Ford Escape: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) are a fun class of vehicle to drive – with their generally excellent handling on the road, their quick acceleration, and the ability to move a fair number of people while still looking pretty cool, they...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Senior Citizens
Everyone Everyone needs a way to get around. You need to get groceries, get to doctors’ appointments, visit with family and more. However, senior citizens have very different needs when it comes to buying a used car than other demographics....