Engine stalls while driving?

Tiny
CARLSONLC
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 175,000 MILES
Car Stalls repeatedly when driving, especially when it is warm. But lately it just does it any time. Would appreciate any hints on what the problem could be. I have put the gas cleaner in it, and that doesn't help. I am not real good at diagnosing car problems.
Saturday, October 5th, 2013 AT 9:30 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This sounds like a classic fuel pump or crankshaft angle sensor but to be sure please go over these guides to help test to find the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Saturday, October 5th, 2013 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
JACKCASH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
Whenever gas goes down to half a tank. Engine stalls out during operation on hiway. Does not matter what rpm. After several starts, vehicle moves on down hiway. But keeps cutting out. I fill tank up with gas. Engine runs fine. Problem goes away till tank is half full.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Are you sure the fuel gauge is accurate?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACKCASH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for reply. Have not checked fuel gauge accurate due to how do I check? Never deal with this type of fuel gauge. Thanks for any info.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
How many gallons of fuel does it take to refill the tank from when it says 1/2 tank?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CDGEXPLORER34
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,500 MILES
My 03 ford explorer eddie bauer shuts off while driving. It first happened about a month ago, then didn't do anything for a few weeks, then it happened on a Saturday and again a few days later. The car starts right up again and you can continue to drive without problems for the remainder of the ride. What could be causing this?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
If it starts right back up, chances are it is an electrical issue. Has the check engine light ever come on? I have seen the crankshaft angle sensor cause this issue when it starts to go out here is a guide that will help walk you through the repair with diagrams below to show you how on your car. When this sensor goes out it does not set a code.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
Images (Click to make bigger)
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CDGEXPLORER34
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, the check engine light has never come on. I had our mechanic check out the car when we got it with his diagnostic and had a Ford diagnostic done for another problem, and no error messages have come up or lights on so I replace the sensor like you said and the truck has not stalled since I think we fixed it! Ya :)
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSH3847
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 73,000 MILES
Hello I have a 2003 for explorer with about 73,000 km on it. For the past week or so everyday I go out to start it in the morning with it being plugged in it stall after like 5 secs. Its been about 0- -10 degrees celsuis but it used to start in that weather before with no problems. Would it be the fuel filter? Was just thinking I might have water in my lines or somethings
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
At that temp, it shouldn't give you any trouble. IT could be a few things. My first guess is the temp sensor that tells the computer how could the temp is and how rich to make the fuel mixture. However, has the check engine light come on?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GEARLESS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
Vehicle has developed a potentially dangerous malfunction. It will stall when the brakes are appllied forcefully or when making a quick turn. It has died on me when, I tried to avoid a dog, while entering the freeway, and while stopping abruptly. It did not matter what fuel level I had at that time. The vehicle has a new fuel filter and transmission flushed. Any help would be appreciated.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
I assume it is an automatic tranny. Can you provide any other info about the vehicle, the normal idle, etc.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GEARLESS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The vehicle has approximately 66,000 miles. It has all wheel drive system. I do not know the idle when the system shuts off. I am unable to get any further info because I am currently seperated from the vehicle.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVIS1231
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,349 MILES
My truck will crank but wont stay running. Will putter out. ( I changed my spark plugs and wires, changed my mass air flow sensor also. Im getting a reading of injector stuck open cylinder 1, random miss fire 1, 3, 5 cylinders and to lean, to rich bank 1
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check fuel pressure with a gauge this guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LYNN FROM SC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 160,000 MILES
"Low Oil Pressure" message in the message center pops up. It cranks right back up and when I do a systems check it says oil pressure is ok. It cuts off randomly while driving. What is the problem?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
You might have a safety system that shuts the system for the engine off if the oil pressure is low. So, you might have a clog in your oil circuit or an a problem that is intermitant with the oil pump. Sometimes if the truck is running roung the pressure will drop low enough to have the pressure light come on as the pressure threshold is set to go off with just a small drop.
You might also have a failing oil pressure switch.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Did you check the oil level?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LYNN FROM SC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I do have a safety system that cuts off to insure no damage is done to motor. I did check the oil and it was about 1 quart low. I added oil but no change in the way the truck is running.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)

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