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Stalled while driving

Tiny
KANDERSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
My vehicle stopped running and then I put it in park and started it back up no problem why would it have stalled?
Sunday, June 14th, 2015 AT 12:09 PM

44 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This happens when the throttle bore needs to be serviced. What happens is the the throttle bore and computer get out of sync due to the coking build up on the throttle plate. Here is a guide that explains whats going on and how to fix it. Leave the throttle actuator connected while you service it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, June 15th, 2015 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
BOOPERIII
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for this post I had this problem the guide help me fix it all set! I love this site.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
ELAINE04
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 150 MILES
Daughter was drving car, it putter and stalled, restarted again putter and stalled, there is gas in the car, just wondering if battery finally gave out
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Low system voltage will affect the many computers on the car and can cause a variety of problems. The place to start is by using an inexpensive digital voltmeter to measure the battery voltage with the engine off and with it running.

Engine off it should read 12.6 volts. Closer to 12.0 volts means it's okay but discharged. If you find 11 volts or less, the battery has a bad cell and must be replaced.

This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

With the engine running, the voltage must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Low battery voltage can affect the engine computer as signals would not be accurate and this can result in stalling.

If the battery had been disconnected, the computer needs to relearn and during this time, if the throttle body and IAC are dirty, stalling would occur.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELMOREBUCFAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,000 MILES
Engine has stalled 3 times in last 3 days after shifting into drive from reverse or from nuetral. Newer battery. No engine light comes on. May take a few tries to get started again, but then fires up. Car starts and drives fine a few times afterwards, then problem occurs again. 05 Nissan Xterra. 6200 miles
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello, it sounds like you have an IAC motor and passages that are dirty/plugged. Please remove the IAC and clean as needed and get back to us. For more info please follow this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_tune_up.htm

Thanks for using 2Carpros.com
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SYLVIAGARCIA844
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN XTERRA
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
I heard a click noise, engine light came on and car stopped running while I was driving. I was able to coast slowly into a driveway to get off the road.

I tried to restart the car, but engine would not turn over. I also noticed some fluid leaking, possibly coolant.

I have researched online and think it may be gasket or fuel pump. Any advise you give would be appreciated. I need to determine whether worth putting more money into this car or just take the jump into getting a new car. Thanks.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
Check to see if your serpentine belt is still on and that none of the pulleys are locked up such as the waterpump or idler pulleys. Then check fuel pressure. If that checks out then check for a broken timing belt. Do any of your dash lights still come on and headlights?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SYLVIAGARCIA844
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
All of the items you suggested we check seem intact. The engine will not spark. Any more suggestions?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
Do any of the lights on the dash work? Do any exterior lights work?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELAINE04
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 150 MILES
2000 Nissan xterria, was driving fine about 10 minutes into drive the car acted like there was not fuel, have a half a tank, after 5 minutes car completely shut down, it putters and spits, but wont turn over any help would be great

battery, alternator, starter pk, took fuel line off fuel going in, this happen on monday let sit over night the next day it drove fine, then this afternoon it started all over again
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure if its within specs-start here
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELAINE04
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Thanks I will try anything
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHOLMESP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 13,225 MILES
Why would my exterra just stop running while Driving
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KLSHIEL
  • MECHANIC
  • 163 POSTS
There are alot of possible causes. First, we can help you better if we have more information. Does the engine start back up? If not, does it crank. If it does, how easy is it to restart? Do any lights like the check engine light come on, or does all the lights go out? You can go to a parts store and get your codes checked for free to see if we can get any information from the computer. Have you had any other problems in the past?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
B-MAN-SWIFTY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
On our 2002 Xterra we are having occasions where it dies and won't restart until it cools down a bit, after 10-15 minutes. If we don't quite wait long enough it will start but is erratic sounding like it's misfiring/missing. We put in a fresh tank of 93 octane gas, have replaced the distributor, but problem is still apparent. Seems that it only does this when we are driving in a heavier start/stop setting, like sitting at long lights and warmer weather. Highways and freeway driving is not a problem. Seems that problem is related to temp, like maybe something electrical is getting hot by no air flow in the engine compartment and then failing. The engine is not overheating like due to a problem with the coolant system because the temp. Guage reads as normal.
I am thinking of replacing the plugs and wires and have had thoughts of replacing the fuel filter, but it seems kind of manic to try a slew of things. Any ideas or SOLUTIONS! Would be great, as we are trying to avoid high cost incurred by taking it somewhere.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
I'm assuming you changed the distributor trying to resolve this problem. Most of the normal causes of this condition, you eliminated by changing the dist. Looking "outside the box" so to speak, we need to determine if it's something other than spark that's failing ie; fuel pressure or injector pulse.
The fuel pump can be subject to heat failure and could recover after a short cool down. Using the process of elimination, the next time the stalled condition exists you need to check for spark to the plugs. If you have spark, we need to look elsewhere. Please advise.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARABABYTA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 77,000 MILES
Why would my 2005 nissan xterra just quit while driving it at 35 and a half a tank of gas and no dash or engine lights came on.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If its cranking over and won't start do below

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 1:38 PM (Merged)

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