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What would make my car shut off while driving?
Yesterday, when I pulled into my driveway after work, my car completely shut off before I even put it in park. I’m so thankful it didn’t happen any sooner! What would cause my car to shut off while I’m driving?
Kaitlin May · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so glad you made it home before anything more serious happened! Cars shouldn’t shut off while driving, but when they do, the most common culprits are:
- A bad crankshaft position sensor
- Other sensor issues in the engine
- A faulty fuel system
- A faulty alternator
- Malfunctioning ignition switch
- Empty fuel tank
If you have an OBD-II scanner, you could diagnose the problem using the trouble codes it displays. It’s going to be more difficult to get a good read on the situation if your car shuts off occasionally, though.
That’s why your best bet is to get a mechanic to take a look at your car. With a series of diagnostic tests, an experienced mechanic can identify where the problem originated and which parts need to be repaired or replaced to get it up and running.
If maintenance costs make you cringe, you’re not alone. It’s helpful to get ahead of mechanical issues by getting your car serviced regularly.
Make room in your budget for regular car maintenance by saving money on other vehicle expenses with
Jerry
. Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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