Stalling when idling/driving?

Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 KIA SOUL
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 141,890 MILES
I have replaced all spark plugs, as well as the battery, fuel pump, catalytic converter, and fuel injection pump/block. Alongside a flush of the new fuel injection pump (which I only got this done because the new injector pump wasn’t pushing enough pressure) my mechanic stated that the pressure issue was fixed. (Which I thought this was the cause of the stalling) (but no)

My car still stalls off when I’m idling on a hill for too long or even when I try to press the gas at a green light after id been idling at the red light it seems like it’s not getting enough gas then it will stall off. I have no lights on my dash when operating vehicle standardly. When vehicle stalls the only lights, I have on dash are check engine and power steering which neither are going bad! (I had my nearest dealership give me a full diagnostic when my check engine light was on for my catalytic converter hence why I’ve replaced it)

More recently I have had issues with my RPM gauge not registering. Only when it stalls off and I can get it back on but will shift gears as usual no complications just the dash RPM not working visually? (Local mechanics could not give me an answer for this issue)

I have no clue what to do next, the car drives wonderfully when in motion, but once you idle for a bit and try to pull off it wants to and/or does stall off. As well as when I’m parked on an incline for too long the car will stall off!

I’m genuinely gutted and don’t know what to do next, I adore this car and want/need to get this car back to being dependable and safe!

What do I need to do?
Saturday, April 5th, 2025 AT 1:53 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I’m taking it to a mechanic this Monday to test and/or replace my Cam shaft sensor and Crank shaft sensor in hopes it fixes my issues!
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Saturday, April 5th, 2025 AT 6:38 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hello, I would replace the crankshaft sensor. The clue that it is bad is the RPM gauge stops working, and when the sensor fails it will sometimes not leave a trouble code. Here is the location of the sensor to be replaced which is by the starter. Thanks for the detailed questions, it helps. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Saturday, April 5th, 2025 AT 2:24 PM
Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you so much. I will definitely let you know how replacing my sensors goes on Monday! Thank you for your help, I’ll check back in ASAP!
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Saturday, April 5th, 2025 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
You are welcome, have a nice Sunday and let me know :)
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Sunday, April 6th, 2025 AT 12:58 PM
Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
My local mechanic called 10 minutes before closing stating that my sensors didn’t throw any codes. We are trying to convince him to change it anyways simply suggesting that it has to be a faulty sensor, and we have no other paths to take! Do you think I should just take it to another mechanic at this point? I feel defeated and unheard! We’ve been convinced this has been the issue since before the catalytic converter code, but no one wants to listen to us! All because there isn’t a code, and the sensor tested fine.
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Monday, April 7th, 2025 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I’m so frustrated! I just want to have a safe dependable car! When we dropped the car off this morning, we informed him to change the sensor whether it tested good or not and they just didn’t... Please let me know what I should do!
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Monday, April 7th, 2025 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
I would take the car to a different mechanic; you should not be frustrated when having your car worked on. Plus having another set of eyes on the car wouldn't hurt. Did he say anything about why the car is having the issue?
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Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 AT 8:33 AM
Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
He finally called this morning stating that the car finally messed up on him and threw a code, and the code for the issue was with the fuel housing unit which I remember reading about when replacing the Fuel pump a few months back. He’s still unsure if that is what’s causing my RPMs to not work visually on the dash sometimes. What do you advise now? Move forward and replace the fuel housing unit for the pump? Could that be what’s giving us so much trouble?
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Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, the fuel pump can cause this stalling issue, and it should be replaced as a precaution anyway at this mileage. Let's give it a try and see what happens.
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Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay I’ll let you know how everything goes!
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Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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That would be great :)
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Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, I’m back again. We replaced the fuel pump and the whole housing, but I am still experiencing complications with stalling and I have no idea where to go from here.
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Friday, April 18th, 2025 AT 11:59 PM
Tiny
KAITLYN FAULLING
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
My next educated guess without a code being thrown would be the crankshaft sensor or mass airflow filter? But honestly, those are just guesses. I’m lost on what to do next. As of right now, it stalled on me three times and my RPM gauge isn’t visually working still sometimes after getting the car back started after it stalls off.
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Saturday, April 19th, 2025 AT 12:01 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
I forgot to tell you the crankshaft sensor failure may not leave a code, stalling while driving is a difficult problem to find sometimes. We need to see which system has failed to help pinpoint the issue.

Please go over this guide and video:

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

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE

Let us know how it goes.
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Saturday, April 19th, 2025 AT 10:09 AM

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