Is there anything more frustrating than a car that starts for a couple seconds and then dies every time you attempt to start it? I don’t think so!
The first bit of information that should relieve you a little is that it is a common issue, you are doing well and there are simple remedies to it.
We will talk about the 10 most common reasons why your car started and died immediately. So, let’s quickly analyze the most common reasons why this can happen.
Reasons Why A Car Starts Then Stops Immediately
The most common reason a car starts, then dies immediately is due to a lack of fuel injected into the engine, although it could also be a bad immobilizer not recognizing the car key. The lack of fuel issue, however, is most frequently due to a clogged fuel filter or a bad fuel pump.
Of course, these are some of the very common causes, there are a few more, so here is a more thorough explanation of the most common reasons why your car starts, then dies:
#1. Lack of fuel.
The most common reason your car starts, then dies is likely due to a lack of fuel injected into the engine. This generally results in a car that shows a little fuel in the fuel rail to start the crank process, but due to no fuel pressure, the engine will die.
Usually, you can locate lack of fuel fairly easily. You can either use a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail, or carefully loosen a bolt on the fuel rail while cranking the ignition and see if you have any fuel pressure. Be careful while doing this that you don’t set anything on fire!
If you do discover you have low fuel pressure you can check our other article on Low fuel pressure.
#2. Anti-Theft Alarm System.
The second most frequent cause is anything relate to the immobilizer or anti-theft alarm system. When the anti-theft system is triggered, the vehicle will not send electricity to the fuel pump to build fuel pressure in the fuel rail.
This will cause the vehicle to start for some seconds, exactly as mentioned earlier. If it is a factory anti-theft alarm, you likely should have a key symbol present on your dashboard, which will turn off after a couple of seconds after you turn the ignition.
If you didn’t have it turned off, try locking and unlocking the vehicle, and trying again. If it is still illuminated there may be an issue with your car key.
If you had an after-market anti-theft alarm there may be a problem with the alarm itself or possibly a bad remote. You may have to program the immobilizer hardware.
#3. Dirty Fuel Filter.
If the car dies after the ignition turns on, it may be due to fuel shortage as we discussed before. A fuel filter is a typical source of low fuel pressure.
A fuel filter is a filter that you should replace periodically – the length of time varies based on the model of your car. If you are the same person whose been using this same fuel filter for a long, it may be clogged.
Fuel filters are usually pretty easy to change and not very expensive. If you have low fuel pressure, you might want to change the filter.
#4. Bad Idle Control Valve.
The purpose of the idle control valve is to regulate your car’s idle speed. Newer cars have throttle bodies that control your idle, but if you have an older car and it has a steel wire to the throttle body, you have an idle control valve.
Often, that idle control valve can get dirty and stop functioning properly. You may try to clean the valve to see if that helps it out. Otherwise you will need to either replace the idle control valve or repair the wires to the idle control valve.
#5. Vacuum Leak.
The idle control valve or throttle body controls the idle by restricting air into the intake manifold.
With a big vacuum leak you can actually cause your car’s air-fuel mixture to become too lean and your car will die after a few seconds every time you try to start your car.
Vacuum leaks are typically very easy to find, either with an EVAP smoke machine or just by listening for the leak, as it is usually accompanied with a high pitch sound.
#6. Faulty Spark Plugs.
The combustion engine ignites an air-fuel mix for power. The spark plugs initiate this ignition. The pistons move vertically, leading to movement in the crankshaft, and eventually the axles of the wheels.
If the spark plugs are bad, ignition will not occur and the car will not move. The car may start for some seconds, but misfire too much with a weak spark, resulting in engine dying very soon after start your car.
#7. Fuel Injector.
Fuel is pumped into the combustion chamber under pressure with the help of fuel injectors. The fuel injectors control which and how much fuel enters the combustion chamber.
If a fuel injector goes bad, it causes the engine to run on fewer cylinders and can also lead to low fuel pressure if one is stuck open.
You can feel the fuel injectors with your hand while cranking the engine to see if they click. If they are not clicking, one could be bad and you would then need to test the fuel injectors.
#8. Faulty Ignition Switch.
If the ignition switch is damaged, you may initially start the car normally and, after a few seconds, the car gets to a point that it comes to a complete stop.
If the ignition switch is truly defective, you will have to check the contacts of the switch to see if they are worn out.
The ignition switch is located behind the ignition lock of the car. In a new car, it is most often impossible to replace the ignition switch itself; it will result in you replacing the whole ignition lock.
#9. Faulty EGR Valve.
The EGR valve regulates the exhaust going back into the engine. A malfunctioning EGR valve can cause too much air to enter the intake manifold.
Too lean of a mixture can also cause the car to start and die right after a few seconds.
#10. Engine Control Unit (ECU).
The ECU is a computer system that controls engine functions such as the fuel injection system. A vehicle requires fuel to move; therefore, if the ECU goes bad, the vehicle will stop running after it’s started.
The ECU commands the engine components via a series of sensors. These sensors age and eventually become faulty and transmit corrupt information to the ECU. You will need to take your car to a car repair shop in that situation.
What to do when your car starts then dies?
If your car starts and then dies right away, you want to check first to see if the immobilizer recognizes your car key.
Look at the dashboard for the key symbol and see if it disappears in a few seconds after turning the ignition. If the light is not the issue, then you want to check the fuel pressure. If the fuel pressure is low, you will want to check the fuel filter and fuel pump.
Can you clear a fuel filter?
Sure, you can clean a fuel filter, but it’s not worth the effort. Fuel filters are typically fairly inexpensive and you could cause yourself a lot of problems and stress cleaning it instead of simply buying a new filter.
Can a dead battery cause an engine to stall?
A dead battery could only cause a stall if it was really bad. If your battery doesn’t have enough power to keep the engine running, then all sorts of issues may occur, including a stall.
If you’ve been experiencing issues starting your car, or you are seeing stalling more often than before, then it’s definitely advisable to check the car’s battery.
What sensors can cause a stalling engine?
Stalling can be caused by several different sensors, depending on the car. These include the mass airflow sensor (which measures the amount of air flowing into the engine), throttle position sensor (this tells the computer how far the accelerator pedal is pushed), engine temp sensor, MAP (manifold air pressure) sensor, or intake air temperature sensor.
If your car starts and dies immediately, it’s probably a fuel supply system problem or the immobilizer. There are a few parts in the fuel supply system that can cause this problem including the fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, or fuel injectors.
You also want to make sure the key symbol on your dashboard lights up for a couple of seconds and then goes away when you turn on the ignition. If it’s still there when starting the car, the immobilizer is engaged and there may be a problem with your transponder key.
If you’ve gone through and inspected all the parts and these points and still cannot figure out why your car is stalling, then your best option is to take it into a mechanic for further diagnosis.