My engine stalls after driving for a while

Tiny
DAVOK
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Car runs fine when its cold but after driving for 15 minutes it will sputter and then stall. I have to wait for it to cool down and it runs fine again. It felt like it wasn't getting gas when it sputtered, so I changed the fuel filter. Still does the same thing.
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014 AT 7:54 PM

35 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
When engine stalled, are you able to restart? This sounds like a fuel pump or the crankshaft angle sensor has gone out. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds? These guides will help fix it

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
DAVOK
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Thanks for responding. It does start up if I wait 10 mins. If I wait til its totally cold, it runs fine til it warms up again. Sometimes it will go for a half hour if I don't run it hard. If I warm it up before driving it doesn't last long before it stalls. The idle is normal and the engine runs with slight throttle. I should add that there was one time that it was low on oil and it stalled out, I put oil in but the problem has got worse since then.
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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What is the idling speed after warming up?
Did you check what is missing causing the non starting after stalling?
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 5:31 AM
Tiny
TASHA_2121
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
When I start my car and rev the engine, the car runs fine, but as soon as I put the car into drive and hit the gas, it sputters and lurches and eventually stalls. When I get the car over 40mph (if I can get it there) it seems to run fine, but If I have to stop or slow down to turn it stalls. I have a small leak in my gas tank, and if I put a gas cap on, the sealant breaks open and I have to patch it again. I know I need a new tank, but some people I know are saying that It might just be that I need to put a gas cap on and it will be fine, others think it may be the fuel filter.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ITZIG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I am having the exact same problem with my 1995 Corolla, with the exception that sometimes it wont start at all, but the stalling and dieing is the same.

I don't think your gas tank leak or gas cap is related. But you need to address these issues.

On my car I have been going through and testing all the sensors. I ordered a vacuum pump and fuel pressure tester to check it further. I think it may be the coil failing after it warms up or possibly the distributor.

I have experience and most tools (worked as a professional mechanic in the 70's and 80's) but these "newer" cars are tough without the fancy scanners and such.

I think you will probably end up taking your car in so it can be checked out with the proper scanners and test equipment. As there are so many things that could be wrong and one system affects another.

I have another car so I am going to keep beating on it reading, learning and testing what I can until I figure it out!

If I do I will post it here!
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Has teh engine been tuned up recently? Small engines need to be running on all 4 when using the a/c. Also clean out around the butterfly in the throttle bore with carb cleaner and a rag. This should help stabilize the idle.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VIVALFUEGO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 190,000 MILES
Often after the car has been outside in the rain for extended periods, it starts idling very rough and periodically stalls out. Usually, if I can keep my foot on the gas to keep the rpms up, it won’t stall, but occasionally it does anyway. After the rain stops, it takes perhaps 30-60 minutes before the car runs fine again (i.E. Some component drying off). I took it to my mechanic and (of course!) He could not replicate the problem. The distributor cap, rotors, and ignition wires were all replaced within the last 18 months; my mechanic tried spraying water on these but the car still ran fine, so I don’t think those are the issue. My gas cap appears to have a very tight seal, so I don’t think water is leaking into the gas tank.

What else could it be? Could the ignition coil be vulnerable even though the other ignition components are fine? Could it be something in the fuel system? I figure it’s probably not the fuel pump because if it were, the issue would be constant rather than only in the rain. Is there anything in the air intake system that is susceptible to water/leakage? I believe the car has a mostly original exhaust system, could any water leaks in the manifold/pipes/cat lead to these drivability issues? My mechanic said the PCV valve seemed a little worn and sticky, could that possibly be the culprit for rough-running in the rain? The thing drives totally perfect in dry weather.

I greatly appreciate your help in pointing me in the right direction for components to inspect/replace so I don’t keep spending more and more money on diagnostic fees that turn up nothing. Thanks!

(p.S. I just sent a donation via paypal from my email address (redacted). Cheers!)
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
I would start by checking all major connectors for water/corrosion. Sounds more like a plug is getting wet and then drying out. Try looking at the distributor connectors and the coil wire
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SURFERCHICK21590
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,000 MILES
My car stalls only when I start to push on the gas pedal. I changed my fuel flirter what else could it be? When I changed it it didnt help at all
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi surferchick21590,

If you have hesitation when accelerating while cruising, then it most probably is cause by bad spark plugs, wires, distributor rotor or cap.

If it stalls only when taking off at idle, it could be a faulty or out of adjustment throttle position sensor.

Did the Check Engine Lamp shows?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PRINGLE
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
I know what you mean about accelerating and the car want to stall I have the same 1995 corolla mine did the same thing once an it was my fuel injector they were dirty so I bought a fuel injector cleaner name sledge hammer an poor it in de gas tank run the car for a while an it started to clear up so you can try that you can use any other injector cleaner
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMSCARS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
I have a 95 corolla wagon, 1.8 liter, it will start up and idle, but stalls as soon as I touch the gas.I replaced the fuel pump and filter, changed all the sensores on the engin, and the computer. Any help would be great, thanks tom.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Although you replaced the FP, check fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge. The symptoms are classic ones of low fuel pressure.
If pressure is OK, then look at ignition system, ignitor, coil.
Check fuel pressure regulator vacuum line for the presence of gas, if there the FP regulator will have to be replaced.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SLAKKER97
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
I had just started my car for the first time of the day and I had driven about 500 feet down the road when the car died. The car flickerd once (the radio reset on its own and dash lights came on but the car was stilling running) a few seconds later I saw my RPM's drop and my radio shut off and I had no power steering and the car was dead. I tried starting the car and nothing would happen no lights, beeps, nothing ( I had no power). I waited approx. 10 minutes and the car starts like nothing ever happen. I tried to remember if I could recall something leading up to thins on the only thing I can recall is a few days ago the a/c was fluctuating from bowing hard air to blowing soft air on its own like it was surging kinda. If I could please get some help on this matter it would be great this is my only car and I need to get my son back and forth to day care. Thanks.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Charging system tested, battery and alternator. This is a free service. Make sure battery connections are clean and tight. lets run the codes

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

If OK then have fuel pressure tested and ignitor (ignition module) tested.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
USEDCARDEALER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
During morning the engine works fine, but about 30 minuets of driving the engine automatically shuts off. When I restart it the engine won't work, but after about 10 minutes of standby the engine starts again but shuts off again after a few minutes.

What do you think is the problem, I already check the carb and the mechanic says it working just fine, they told me that the distributor was the problem, is this true?

Hope to hear from you soon, thanks.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Seems to me you need to check the fuel pressure to rule out a failing fuel pump-Try this for a start
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FSMO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
After driving for a while engine just shuts off sometimes if I hit a bump in the road it cuts off. When I try to restart it wont, it will crank but wont catch. Ill go back a half hour later it starts right up with authority. Once while stalling on a highway I heard a click sound at the mid dashboard area.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Start with checking all the electrical plugs are clean and tight, with the engine running wiggle each plug you may be lucky and get the engine to stall if you find a faulty plug, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAXMAX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 21,000 MILES
Hello,
I have a 1993 Toyota Corolla with 210,000 miles. The motor still runs like a champ, it uses very little oil and I get about 30-35 mpg (1.8 liter engine). Here is my problem: About a year ago I was on the freeway and the engine suddenly sputtered out. I coasted off to the side and got out to check the engine. Everything looked fine, so I scratched my head and decided to start it. It started right up and ran fine until now.
In the last month the same thing has happened twice. Both times a freeway speeds. I'll stop, re-start the engine and everything is fine. I changed the fuel filter, spark plugs, wires etc. But am still worried as this little problem is so erratic. Has anyone dealt with a similar problem or have any insightful suggestion? Thanks.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:48 PM (Merged)

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