8 Reasons Why a Car May Shut Off While Driving

If your car shuts off while driving, it can be a terrifying situation to be in. It’s definitely a position you don’t want to put yourself in again, so learning what makes a car cut off while driving and fixing them should be a top priority of yours if this happens to you. Below are a few reasons why your car shuts off while driving, so if this has happened to you and you want to prevent it from happening again, read on.

8 Causes Why a Car May Stop While Driving

Reason #1 – You ran out of fuel

This is actually the most common reason your car turns off while driving, and honestly, if this is the reason it happens, you should be relieved because it’s the easiest fix. Sure, it’s embarrassing having to push your car into a gas station, but as we said, it’s a super simple fix. 

All you have to do is fill up on gasoline and off you go. Running out of gas may not always be your fault, however. Knowing how much gas you have in your car relies on two parts: the “sender,” located inside your gas tank and the gas gauge, located on your dashboard. If there is an issue with either of these, your car may tell you it has gas when it really doesn’t. Whatever the reason you ran out of gas is, be calm because it’s the least expensive reason your car cuts off while driving.

Reason #2 Your battery dies

It may seem strange, but your battery can die while you’re driving and may actually be why your car turns off while driving. If your car won’t start and you need to use jumper cables from another fully charged battery, it may mean that your battery will die while driving and will eventually come to a halt. If the reason your car turns off while driving is a dead battery, it’s actually pretty easy to tell that this is the reason. 

If your car stops while driving, all you have to do is look at the electronics to see if they’re working as well. Try turning the radio or the headlights on (or just look down at your dashboard), and if they’re not working, it means a dead battery is to blame.

Reason #3 Faulty alternator

If you had to jump-start your car with jumper cables and someone else’s battery, then after a couple of minutes, your car suddenly stops while driving, it is likely the alternator. 

The alternator is responsible for turning the mechanical energy from your engine into electrical energy to keep your car’s battery charged and the electrical systems (radio, windshield wipers, headlights, etc.) running. When the alternator isn’t working properly, the battery won’t get charged while you’re driving, and if it gets bad enough, it will eventually be the reason your car stops driving. 

Reason #4 Damaged ignition switch

The ignition switch is a small part located on your car’s steering column, right where you insert the key to start your car. Despite it being a small part, it can mean big problems if it gets damaged. Namely, it could mean your car stops while driving. The ignition switch consists of several metal plates that can wear down or develop corrosion (especially if you live close to the sea, where salty air is common) over time. If the connection between the plates isn’t as firm as it should be, they will separate, and the connection will be lost, resulting in your engine shutting off while driving. One tell-tale sign that this is the case is if your car shuts off after hitting a big bump. 

Reason #5 Damage to your fuel system

It’s no secret that your car’s motor requires fuel to run, so it makes sense that if that supply of fuel was cut off, the motor can’t continue running. If you don’t have any issues starting your car, but your car keeps cutting off while driving, it may be time to have a mechanic check out your fuel system. 

Your fuel delivery system is made up of a few components, but the two most important ones are the fuel pump and the fuel filter. If your fuel pump isn’t working properly, it won’t supply gas to the cylinders, and combustion inside them won’t happen. Thus, your engine will shut off. The other potential issue with your fuel system is the fuel filter. If this is clogged, enough fuel won’t be able to reach the cylinders, and the same engine failure we just mentioned will happen as well. 

Reason #6 Malfunctioning sensors

Modern cars use sensors to supply the engine with the correct air to fuel ratio for optimal functioning. If these sensors aren’t working correctly or aren’t calibrated correctly, it could result in getting too much or too little fuel which would cause the car to stall while driving. On the other hand, faulty or damaged sensors could give the engine too much or too little air. If either of these are the case and the air to fuel ratio isn’t correct, it will result in a car that keeps turning off while driving.

Reason #7 Damaged ECU

Today, all modern cars have an ECU (electronic control unit) that controls all the systems involved with your car’s proper operation. If this essential part gets damaged, you’re going to have all sorts of problems. One of these problems could be that your car shuts off while driving. Because this ECU is connected to all car systems, an issue with it will likely cause the check engine light on your dashboard to come on before the car completely shuts off while driving. It is always best to have a mechanic look at your vehicle when the check engine light comes on to avoid a situation as scary as your car shutting off while you’re driving it. 

Reason #8 Defective crankshaft position sensor

If the crankshaft position sensor (or any of the wiring involved with it) is defective, it may cause your car’s engine to stop running. This is an important part of your engine management system because it measures the rotational speed (RPM) of your engine and what position it’s in at any given time during the vehicle’s operation. If this is faulty and it’s sending a message to your ECU that it’s in one position when it’s actually in another, your car’s ECU will recognize this, and it’s likely your car will stall during operation.