Car shut off while driving

Tiny
IRENE1988
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 94,000 MILES
This am I was driving I turned my steering got tight I turned again and I started swerving all my light were flashing then my car turned off. It had no power. I pulled over and turned the car back on no lights on, drives fine. What do you think is going on?
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 AT 9:54 AM

27 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

If there is no check engine light staying on and this is the only time it happened, it could be many different things, vacuum leak, idle air control valve stuck, bad gas. If you would like to check a few things, I will attach links that describe the component and how to check them.

Checking for a vacuum leak:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Here is a link that discusses possible issues that cause a car to stall while driving and how to check and repair:

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

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
IRENE1988
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Hi thanks.
My car has been revving up when I start goes up not to much, but it has never done that before.
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Friday, August 24th, 2018 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
IRENE1988
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
It has been doing it for like three weeks.
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Friday, August 24th, 2018 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Welcome back.

There is a chance that it is related to an engine vacuum leak or the idle air control valve (IAC). The IAC is responsible for maintaining the engine's idle speed. You mentioned that the idle has been higher than normal. I attached a picture of possible causes. However, there is a list. If the check engine light is on, you should scan the computer to determine if there is a trouble code stored which should indicate where the problem is coming from.

Here is a quick video showing it being done. Most parts stores will do it for you for free.

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

If the check engine light is not on, most likely, there will not be codes. Were you able to test any of the items I mentioned in the first post? There are so many different things which can cause it. Things as simple as a plugged air filter can cause the engine to run rich or even not at all. A weak battery can cause the idle issue.

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, August 25th, 2018 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
ARIF.KHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 108,244 MILES
Sir,
Recently I overhauled my car engine, now I am facing the bad throttle issues and when I put my car on reverse it shut off. While driving RPM goes down randomly throttle body is cleaned MAF sensor is cleaned. I am stuck with it. Please help with your suggestion.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

Have you checked to see if there are diagnostic trouble codes? Also, have you checked for engine vacuum leaks as well as fuel pressure?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ARIF.KHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Thanks for your reply. I forgot to tell that there was no check sign appeared. Last night I checked my car for vacuum leaks and found loose piping, I fixed it and now it is running smoothly. I would like to thank 2CarPros team and your self to give me prompt support.
Thanks again.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
I'm glad to hear you got it fixed and you are very welcome. We are always here if you need help, so please visit us again.

Have a nice holiday season.

Joe
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
G E SHORTY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 120,000 MILES
My car is a 2009 Toyota Corolla. Lately it is as though the car is about to stall. It seems as though the engine is working harder when going up hill. It is powering out. One time the car steering got really hard to turn the wheel. The car is a push start baby, the starter has been out for years, I'm too broke to fix it.

The car has also gotten noisy. This has all happened in the past 2 months

Thanks for this site :-)
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Is the engine missing? Has the check engine light come on? Have you checked the catalytic converter for plugging, the fuel pump pressure?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
G E SHORTY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The engine light has not come on. And no the engine is not missing. It is as though it is about to stall but doesn't. I have not checked the catalytic converter for plugging or the fuel pump pressure. I do not know how to do that. I did for get to mention that one of the posts on the battery had a light blue chalky sunstance on it. I did clean that the best that I could. Also we just moved from a very dry climate to an area with lots of moisture
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
The reason I mentioned the converter is because you said it seems louder. See if the exhaust has pressure coming out. Based on the climate changes, you may want to check for ignition wires that are worn and consider a tune up. A damp climate can cause spark plug wires to arc and cause a rough idle. Also, since it feels like it wants to stall, check to make sure there are no vacuum leaks and the Idle air control valve is working properly.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
G E SHORTY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ok I will do all of that. Thank you for your responses. It is much appreciated!
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Glad to help. Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NAYMYOOO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,556 MILES
Rpm lower than 500 rpm, dtc p1603 engine stall history
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Are you sure that code is correct? I checked 3 references and it isn't listed in any of them for a Toyota. As far as the low idle and stalling history, has anyone checked for vacuum leaks? This guide can help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMEBBUELA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 50,000 MILES
When gas is revved up especially when going on an inclined area, car engine would stop. And then the car would not start. After a while, the car would start again. What could be the problem?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It sounds like a fuel pump is going out. check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it although you may need an adapter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PTRAIN12
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA
My car keeps stalling on me. Slowing down for speed bumps, or stop signs, and just recently entering the freeway from a off ramp. And sometimes the car jerks but doesn't stall. I am from Minnesota and someone said it was the cold weather, at the time it was below zero. But on the freeway today it was 30 degrees and I had been driving for 45 min. I took it in a while back and they hooked up a computer to find out why my check engine light was on. I got no answer. The check engine light hasn't come on since. Please tell me why my car keeps stalling so I can fix it before I stall on the freeway with my family in the car. Thanks.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Is the check engine light on? If so I would start with a scan of the computer to see what failures it has logged. This will save a lot of guess work. Also look for obvious issues like the intake hose from the air box to engine having cracks or holes in it

Read these guides, they will help you figure it out

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:25 PM (Merged)

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