Q: When accelerating, engine shuts down
When I accelerate my car, the engine turns off. First, today it took longer than usual to start. After it did start, my car started shaking and then a few seconds later the shaking stopped. After driving ¼ mile, I accelerated, the car started shaking again, and then the engine quit totally. It took five tries before the car would restart. I had to push on the gas pedal and I heard a strange sound that I think was coming from the exhaust. Yet, again, the engine quit. Finally, it restarted and I headed back to the house. As long as I did not accelerate, the engine stayed on, but if I pressed the gas pedal at all, the car would shut down. What is causing this and how do I fix it?
Recommended Services
| Engine is misfiring Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
| Car is stalling Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hello. From the symptoms you are describing, it would appear that the vehicle is having some sort of serious engine performance issues. A few things I would check on are the fuel and ignition system. The sound you describe from the tailpipe may be a misfire, perhaps related to a fuel system issue. A weak fuel pump or a clogged fuel filter can starve the engine of fuel, which can cause misfires or stalling due to a lean condition. Stalling can also be caused by a wide variety of other issues, such as vacuum leaks, and even ignition problems, so a proper diagnosis of car stalling by a certified technician from YourMechanic is recommended to determine what the exact cause of the issue may be.
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