Stalls while driving?

2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
196,450 MILES
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SKYFERRIGAN1
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  • 3 POSTS
After driving my car down the road for a couple of minutes the RPMs start to stall and go down to one while i’m still pressing on the gas. After it stalls the next time, I brake my car starts to vibrate and makes a rusting noise when trying to accelerate.
Jul 18, 2022 at 2:02 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Hi,

Does it always restart right away, or do you have to wait? Also, based on your description, it sounds like a weak fuel pump. By chance, does the check engine light stay on when it is running? If it does, we need to have the computer scanned.

I realize most people don't own a scanner, but often times a parts store will do it for you free of charge. Here is a quick video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/b2IJGfImVvw

Now, if the light isn't staying on, the first thing I would recommend is to check the fuel pressure. Here is a link that explains how it's done:

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

I'm not sure which engine you have in the vehicle, so I don't want to provide the wrong manufacturer's fuel pressure specifications. Let me know the engine size.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
Jul 18, 2022 at 7:09 AM
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SKYFERRIGAN1
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  • 3 POSTS
The RPM always restarts after the stall, so if I'm driving down the road it seems like it just stalls to one and then goes back to two after a few seconds. While my foot was still on the gas. My check engine light does stay on while it is running, I had it scanned, and it showed the O2 was the reason it was on. The engine size of my car is a 6. Thank you, this information really helped! Just to clarify my car never turns off or stops running when it stalls it just keeps going like normal but the RPM changes when i don’t take my foot off the gas or slow down. When it isn’t supposed to change unless I brake or speed up or slow down.
Jul 18, 2022 at 8:29 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Hi,

Okay, I misunderstood. I thought by stall you meant it shut off. It still can be related to the fuel pressure. What I would really like you to do again is have it scanned and let me know what the codes are and if there has been a change. I don't know if it's possible, but if you could get your hands on a live data scan tool, it would be helpful for me.

I attached a pic below showing the manufacture's specifications for fuel pressure.

I just reviewed your first question again. Something caught my eye. You indicated the engine runs rough and makes a rustling noise. Can you tell approximately where that is coming from? I'm questioning if it is related to a failing catalytic converter. The insides of them can come loose and rattle which can restrict the exhaust. That usually causes a rough running vehicle and a loss of power. Take a look through this link and let me know if anything mirrors what you experience:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

Let me know if you ever notice an odd odor or smoke from the exhaust.

Take care,

joe

See pic below.
Jul 18, 2022 at 2:21 PM
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