Sometimes a car will die immediately after starting. If this is something you are experiencing for the first time, the normal reaction would be to restart the car. In most cases, this is a futile attempt.
There could be a number of reasons why this happens. However, if there is a problem with the fuel or the electrical system, the engine will start but it will die down immediately.
Car Starts and Dies Immediately: Why This Happens
As mentioned above, the natural tendency is to immediately restart the car as soon as the engine dies. However, it can be frustrating when your car does not behave in the manner you are used to, which is to – start immediately. Trying to restart the engine even after several failed attempts could lead to making matters worse.
If you know what is causing this to happen, it could help you address the issue quickly. Consider the following reasons:
Leaking Fuel Pump
Any time there is a leak in the fuel pump, or if your car’s fuel injection system has a problem, it impacts the internal combustion process. Vital concepts you should know:
- An engine will only run if the ratio of air and fuel mix is in proportion for what is required to fire an engine.
- A leak in this system or ratio of air fuel mix will disrupt the working of the combustion chamber.
- Without the adequate supply of fuel, the engine might start, however, it won’t be able to continue running as the fuel supply is impacted by the leakage.
A Problem with the Fuel Injection Sensor
A specific amount of pressure is essential for the fuel injector to successfully supply the required quantity of fuel to the internal combustion chamber. To ensure this happens without any problems;
- A sensor is attached to the fuel injection sensor to keep track of the pressure in the fuel injector.
- This information is passed on to the engine control unit which then makes the necessary pressure adjustments.
- If the fuel injection sensor develops a snag or is unable to relay this information to the engine control unit, the engine will not receive the necessary supply of fuel.
When this happens, the car will start, however, it will die down immediately.
Problems with the Engine Control Unit
We mentioned earlier how a faulty fuel injection sensor could impact the internal combustion chamber if the required information to adjust pressure is not passed on to the engine control unit.
On top of this, if there is a problem with the engine control unit, its ability to communicate with the fuel injection system could be affected. In this case again, the car will start, however, it will die immediately.
Issues with the Ignition System
If everything is running fine, a constant flow of fuel and a good spark will ignite the fuel to keep the engine running. The problem occurs when:
- The fuel supply is not adequate or if there is not enough spark to ignite the fuel, the engine will die.
- Problems with the ignition system, which could include issues with the battery or the spark plug, will impact the engine leading to the car dying as soon as it starts.
A Bad or Malfunctioning Carburetor
The job of the carburetor is to ensure the ratio of air and fuel is right for successful combustion. Any issues or problems with the carburetor will disrupt the air-fuel balance which in turn could again cause your car to start. However, without the right mix of air and fuel to ignite the fuel, the car engine will die immediately.
Vital Information
One of the first things you should do if your car starts and dies immediately is to have it checked up by a professional mechanic.
The problem could be anywhere; it could be an issue with the fuel and electrical systems or an issue with your car’s computer. Timely repairs or replacements could prevent further damage to the important components of your car’s engine.
Accurate Service! Trusted Name in Auto Repairs!
Confused and worried about why your car starts and dies immediately? We can help. Give Accurate Service a call today at (520) 620-9129 or schedule an appointment online!