Q: Car starts as usual but as soon as you start to drive the car immediately dies.

asked by on October 01, 2016

Took it to a mechanic he read the codes and said the cars oil pressure was reading high and that I probably needed some new wiring or a new valve and that he'd check then call me back. When he did call me he said I needed a new timing chain kit. What's the real problem?

My car has 160000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car starts and then dies Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

If the timing chain is badly worn very badly, it may cause the engine to run poorly or not start at all. A badly worn timing chain usually comes with noises and a check engine light. Consider having another mechanic giving you a second opinion on what is causing the vehicle to stall.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I break in the engine?
If you purchase a new vehicle, you want to break in the engine by driving it carefully at first. For the first 300 miles, you should try to drive it as safely as possible at varying engine RPMs not exceeding...
What do the steering wheel radio controls do?
A quick look at the steering wheel in your car will show you there are quite a few different buttons available. They all provide you with a convenient way to interact with different systems in your car without having to...
Car won't drive in gear.
Hello, I assume your car has a manual transmission. If you can push the clutch in and put it into a different gear, then the engine should rev and the car will move when the clutch is released and you...
My truck is having difficulty accelerating past 55 mph, what can be the cause of that?
Hi, thanks for writing in. Sometimes when you move from the mainland to the Hawaiian Island, a few issues could occur. One is excessive saltwater corrosion that could cause damage to steering components or exposed rubber pieces underneath the vehicle....
I have to push the accelerator when I crank up my truck up to keep it from turning off
Depending on the engine maintenance that has been done on a regular basis you may need to have a diagnostic check done to check the condition of the ignition system, fuel system, and the computer sensors for an issue like...
ABS light turns On and Off.
Hi there. It could be a mechanical problem, such as the tie rod or a broken CV joint that is causing this issue. When the inner portion of the tire does not touch the ground, that's known as a negative...
My car gets stuck in low gear when decelerating
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. It sounds like that the low speed shift sensor has failed in the transmission. This is common occurrence to the transmissions in the Chrysler vehicles. I recommend replacing the low speed shift sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-speed-sensor-replacement)...
Car jerking when slowing down
This is a common symptom of a dirty or failing idle air control valve. As you know, the idle air control valve reads the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at...
While driving the oil light comes and then the engine light and the car stops...I turn the car off and on and it resumes to work
The oil pressure light will usually come on when a few things could be happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil, the oil pump could be failing or not pumping oil sufficiently or the oil pressure sending...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Mazda RX-8
The The 2011 Mazda RX-8 is a sporty, two-door coupe that is able to seat four people (two in the front and two in the rear). While this was the final year of production for the RX-8, it definitely made...
2012 Mazda 3 vs. 2012 Honda Civic: Which One Should I Buy?
Compact cars are well-known for their cost-effectiveness, value and affordability as well as their small stature. In general, they make great commuter cars and are especially good for first-time cars for kids or college students heading out for the first...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re Shorter Than Average
Vertically Vertically challenged? Hate getting behind the wheel and having to crane your neck to see? There’s nothing wrong with you, but there is something wrong with your car. It might be time to trade it in and take advantage...