It’s a terrifying situation for any San Diego driver: You’re driving on the I-15 south in the middle of a fast-moving, 6-lane highway when your vehicle suddenly loses power and stalls out for no apparent reason. With no power coming from the engine, you can only use the vehicle’s own momentum to safely steer and move it to the side of the road, yikes! What type of auto repair is needed to fix this problem, what causes this to occur, and what should you do if you’re ever in such a situation?
In San Diego and across the country, more than 50 drivers of Chrysler Pacifica minivans have experienced this sudden stalling out problem, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. The government agency is now pushing manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to issue a recall of nearly 150,000 minivans.
Minivan Stall outs May Require Electrical System Auto Repair
So far, Chrysler is looking into the problem but say the stalling hasn’t caused any accidents. It is unclear what type of auto repair is needed to resolve the engine failure issue but they believe it may be related to the electrical system.
The engine shut down seems to occur randomly both at fast and average-moving speeds. Unfortunately, there’s no advance warning to allow the driver to steer to safety. Drivers of said vehicles have reported a notification popping up on the dashboard to “stop, shift vehicle into park and restart.” Yet in many cases, drivers needed to get auto repair before the vehicle would start again.
What Does It Mean When Your Vehicle Stalls Out?
Chrysler Minivans, however, are far from being the only vehicles on the road at risk for stalling out. Any vehicle can suffer from mechanical failure and shut down unexpectedly. Why does this happen and what specific auto repair is needed to fix the problem? The vehicle stalls because its engine has stopped working; however, engine repair may not be required to fix the problem. Sometimes, engine failure occurs when a closely related component breaks down instead.
Does Your Car Need Engine Repair or Alternator Replacement?
What are common causes of engine failure or the vehicle stalling out? A dead batter is a common cause as is a failing alternator. The great connector, the alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, which it then disperses to major components of your vehicle. The engine gives power to that energy enabling your vehicle to drive.
If you’ve checked to see that your battery is in good shape, check to see if the alternator needs to be replaced. An alternator replacement can be cheaper than engine repair, and usually people are relieved to hear engine repair problems are actually just the alternator.
Could More Serious Engine Repair be Required?
A worn distributor cap and spark plugs, for instance, can cause misfiring and thus stalling. Such issues tend to require more time intensive or costly engine repair. A worn out fuel pump, which can be difficult to detect in advance, is also known for causing the vehicle to stall out because the car is not getting the fuel it needs to function. (It’s also worth noting that “running out of gas” will cause your vehicle to stall out.)
What to Do If Your Vehicle Stalls out When You’re Driving?
Though there’s no doubt that your car stalling out on a highway or fast moving road is frightening, a bit of preparation can help you cope. When you first start to notice noises coming from the engine area, pay attention and don’t ignore them. Does something truly feel wrong here, is the car starting to lose power? Is the engine churning, puttering, or wheezing along?
Have the Car Towed to Local Auto Repair Shop
If so, turn on your signal and try to drive the car to the shoulder or at least the far right lane. If your car begins to stall out, be prepared for it to be difficult for you to steer. This is because you’ve lost power steering capability, which may mean pulling down hard on the steering wheel to turn it.
Turn on your hazard lights and call for help. It is strong advised not to get out of the car and try to move it yourself, especially on a busy freeway. You should try to restart the engine and perform some basic auto repair but only if you can do it safely.
Regular vehicle inspections at your local San Diego auto repair shop can help catch some issues in advance such as a low-energy battery or a worn out alternator. If your vehicle is stalling out when the car is idling or stopped at a traffic light, this might be an early warning sign that something is amiss and an auto repair may be required.
