Stalling
Engine stalls at idle or when stopping. Prioritise airflow control, vacuum leaks, and fuel delivery.
HIGH RISK
Common symptoms
- Stalls when coming to a stop
- Stalls when cold
- Idle drops then dies
- May restart immediately
Cost expectations
DIY: £0–£80. Garage: £120–£350+.
Note: prices vary by car and region. Use this as a planning range.
Most likely causes (ranked)
- Dirty throttle body — Idle airflow too low.
- Vacuum leak — Mixture goes too lean at idle.
- Fuel pressure issue — Pump or regulator weak.
- Crank sensor intermittent — RPM signal drops out.
- Torque converter / clutch issues — Loads engine at idle (auto/manual).
Quick checks (fast, low-cost)
- Check for codes and freeze frame.
- Clean throttle body (if applicable).
- Inspect vacuum hoses/PCV lines.
- Check fuel pressure if symptoms under load too.
- If stall happens hot, consider crank sensor heat failure.
Recommended tools
These tools make diagnosis faster and stop you buying random parts.
Related fixes
If your symptoms don’t match perfectly, check these next.
What to do next
- If stalling in traffic, treat as high priority.
- Fix air leaks/throttle issues first.
- Don’t ignore recurring stalls — it can become a no-start.
AutoSolveHub helps you narrow possibilities. Always confirm critical repairs with proper testing and safe procedures.