Q: My car won't start. It tries but quickly sputters and dies

asked by on January 23, 2017

It will turn over and the fuel pump turns on, the battery seems fine but it sputters and dies immediately after I start it. I tried giving it a little gas and it won't do anything different. I have not gotten gas anywhere out of the ordinary so I don't know how my fuel line would be clogged. I also just filled the tank. It was running just fine yesterday. I did have to push the gas more than normal because I got stuck in a snow bank but it seemed to run fine even after that. Thoughts? I am by no means a car expert and am trying to get myself through school so I don't have a bunch of $ to spend on it.

My car has 178000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Evaporation Vent Solenoid Replacement $127.55 - $417.61 Get a Quote

If this is something that seems to happen regularly after filling the fuel tank, you may have a problem with your evaporative emissions control system. Your car has a small purge valve called a purge solenoid in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. The vent valve is controlled by the engine computer (PCM). Normally the vent valve is open. It closes when the engine computer tests the EVAP system for leaks. If a leak in the EVAP system is detected, the Check Engine light will illuminate on the dash and the trouble code related to the problem will be stored in the engine computer. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

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

Dashboard going out
Hi there. Since your issue is intermittent this would lead me to believe you are experiencing a bad connection behind your dashboard. A loose connection between your light bulbs and sockets will cause this problem along with a fault in...
Heater only works at high speeds
If the blower fan is operational, then you might have a clogged cabin air filter. The filter is located behind the glovebox and should be changed periodically, to ensure proper HVAC operation and air volume. If the blower is not...
Clutch pedal goes to floor when pressed
With the symptoms you have described, the most likely cause is a leak in the clutch hydraulic system. If there is a leak on the system it causes air to enter. Since air is not able to be compressed the...
The A/C works only when the fuse has been replaced in order for it to continue to work. What causes this?
It is important to know which fuse you are replacing. Is it the fuse to the compressor clutch or to the blower motor to be precise. Either way, I can give you some insight that you can use to figure...
What causes the engine to run rough and the engine to die when the accelerator is pressed?
Hello. You have covered most of the common parts that fail with the exception of the idle air control valve/module. This is a unit that works similarly to the mass air flow sensor as it regulates the air intake into...
My key won't turn or start the car
Hi, thanks for writing in. There are a few things that might be going on with your ignition switch. First, the ignition cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ignition-lock-cylinder) might be damaged if it won't turn when you insert the key. Second, it may be...
P0236
Hello. Your vehicle is equipped with two boost pressure sensors. One at the front of the engine near the throttle body, and one at the rear of the engine. I would verify that the boost sensor you replaced is the...
Does kia Rio have an inertia switch?
Hello. It does not appear that your model of Rio is equipped with an inertia or fuel pump cut off switch of any sort. There is a fuel pump check valve that is designed to stop the flow of fuel...
I smell gas and it blows white smoke out of the exaust.
Hi There, There are a number of things that can cause poor fuel mileage. A faulty camshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement) is one of them. The camshaft position sensor is a magnetic sensor that monitors camshaft speed to regulate ignition timing...

Related articles

2012 Honda Civic vs. 2012 Ford Focus: Which One Should I Buy?
One of the best ways to cope with pain at the gas pump is to look at downsizing your vehicle, and today’s compact cars are a great option that allow you to keep the space that you need to move...
2012 Ford Escape vs. 2012 Honda CR-V: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs represent one out of every three vehicles sold in 2012, making them one of the most-purchased types of vehicles in the country during that time period. Compact SUVs are a sub-class that are slightly smaller and offer the most...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Realtor or Real Estate Agent
If If you make your living as a realtor or real estate agent, you may have a number of considerations when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle. The most common considerations are budget, ability to transport people, and comfort....