A car stopped accelerating while driving. You can diagnose and solve the problem with the right tools and knowledge. This problem can be scary and potentially dangerous on busy highways. In this technical blog post, you look at common causes and the steps you can take to fix the issue.
Common Reasons & Solutions For Cars Stopping Accelerating While Driving
Here are the common issues to explain the car stopping accelerating while driving.
1) Mass Airflow Sensor Malfunction
The MAF determines the quantity of air entering a vehicle’s fuel injection engine. The Engine Control Unit( ECU) collects that data and is responsible for delivering the correct portion of fuel to the engine. If the MAF is damaged, it can send incorrect readings to the engine control module, which can affect a loss of power and acceleration. It also causes slow performance and poor acceleration of your vehicle. It can fail due to air, dirt, and debris entering into the sensor. This causes a car to stop accelerating on the highway.
How To Fix
You will need to replace the faulty sensor with a professional mechanic.
Steps to Replace Mass Airflow Sensor:
- Locate the mass airflow sensor in the air intake system.
- Disconnect the electrical connector from the sensor.
- Remove the mounting screws and remove the old sensor from the air intake system.
- Install the sensor and secure it.
- Connect the electrical connector to the new sensor.
- Start the engine and check for proper operation.
2) Oxygen Sensor Malfunction
The O2 sensor estimates the oxygen content in the exhaust to decide the fuel mixture. If the O2 sensor is dirty or damaged, it can transmit false readings to the engine control module. Bad oxygen sensors disrupt essential engine functions, including engine timing, combustion intervals, increased fuel usage, uncontrolled engine timing, engine idle/misfires, and air-fuel ratio. This is another reason cars stop accelerating while driving then start again.
How To Fix
If you want to fix the oxygen sensor malfunction, you retrieve the fault code and diagnose the problem. Check the wiring damage and connection corrosion. Consider other probable issues like vacuum leaks, clogged air filters, or a failing catalytic converter. Finally, if everything is good, then replace the faulty oxygen sensor.
Steps to Replace Oxygen Sensor Malfunction:
- Locate the oxygen sensor
- Disconnect the battery
- Remove the old sensor
- Install the new sensor
- Connect the wiring
- Reconnect the battery
- Test the new sensor
3) Faulty Throttle position sensor (TPS)
The TPS is a sensor that monitors the position of the throttle and sends a voltage signal to the engine computer to adjust the throttle angle and speed of movement data and fuel delivery to the engine. It controls the amount of air that can flow into the engine intake manifold. The system utilizes this information to estimate engine load, adjust timing, fuel delivery, EGR, converter clutch operation, and exact flood mode. If the TPS is not working correctly, it can cause your car to stop accelerating while driving.
How To Fix
Get professional assistance to repair/replace the malfunctioning TPS and control future damage to the vehicle.
Steps to Replace Oxygen Sensor Malfunction:
- Disconnect the Battery
- Unplug Old Sensor
- Remove Mounting Screws
- Remove Old Sensor
- Mount and Screw In New Sensor
- Re-Plug Wiring Harness
- Reconnect Battery Cables
4) Clogged Fuel Filter
The fuel filter is an essential component of your reliable vehicle’s fuel system. Its function is to remove impurities from the fuel before it goes into the engine. If the fuel filter becomes clogged it can limit the flow of oil in the machine.
It is causing a decrease in performance and acceleration. A clogged fuel filter causes low fuel pressure, slow performance and acceleration, and engine misfire. It can result in poor fuel mileage and rough idling.
The common symptoms of a blocked fuel filter include trouble starting, sputtering, hesitation, backfiring, loss of power, and poor fuel efficiency.
Steps to Replace Clogged Fuel Filter
- Locate the fuel filter
- Relieve fuel pressure
- Remove the old fuel filter
- Install the new fuel filter
- Start the engine
5) Clogged Catalytic Converter or Particle Filter
The catalytic converter is an essential component of a car’s exhaust and emissions control system and is used to decrease the amount of smog that arrives from the tailpipe. Its function is to reduce emissions by converting harmful pollutants into less harmful ones. If the catalytic converter becomes clogged, it can restrict the flow of exhaust gasses, leading to reduced engine execution.
Slow powertrain performance, dark exhaust smoke, poor fuel efficiency, increased engine noise, engine stalling, and decreased acceleration are all signs of a clogged catalytic converter.
6) Faulty Fuel Injectors
A fuel injector is an essential part of a vehicle. It controls the magnitude of fuel delivered to the combustion chamber and regulates the amount of fuel that goes into the combustion chamber during the power stroke. It ensures optimum combustion and efficiency.
Dirty fuel injectors can force engines to misfire. This problem makes the motor send vibrations through the car.
Some of the Symptoms of Faulty Fuel Injectors
- Engine stalls or rough idle
- Engine misfires
- Bad fuel economy
- Struggling to start
- Fuel smell
- Unpredictable movements of the needle on the tachometer
- Faulty engine light
- Defective spark plugs
7) Worn Spark Plugs
Malfunctioning spark plugs cause an engine misfire, hard starts, reduced gas mileage, rough idling, and lack of acceleration. It is hard to drive with a faulty spark plug because the engine might fail to operate.
Signs Of Defective spark plugs
- car is a rough starter
- car is a rough idle
- the engine will sometimes misfire
- engine surges
- fuel consumption is higher than usual
- car isn’t accelerating
- High Fuel Consumption
- Lack Of Acceleration
- Engine Surging
8) Faulty Turbocharger
A turbocharger is a system used by car manufacturers to boost engine power and deliver the same grade of force in smaller cars that are the same as in larger cars.
The common reason for defective turbochargers includes oil starvation, oil contamination, and foreign object damage. Blocked or leaking pipes or lack of priming on fitting generally causes oil starvation.
Causes & Symptoms Turbo Failure
- Turbocharger failure
- Damaged seals
- Wear & Tears
- Overly-blocked catalytic converter
- Rising exhaust gas temperatures
- Using poor-quality engine lubricants
- Poor-functioning intercooler
Conclusion
As a final thought, a car that stops accelerating while driving can have potentially unstable conditions. However, by understanding some of the common reasons, you can take steps to analyze and fix the issue. Routine care and timely repairs can also help prevent these problems.
FAQ Regarding A Car Stopped Accelerating While Driving
Q.1) Why did my car stop accelerating while I was driving?
There could be many reasons a car stops accelerating while driving, including issues with the engine, transmission, fuel system, or electrical components.
Q.2) What are the common causes of cars stopping accelerating while driving?
Some common causes include a clogged fuel filter, a failing mass air flow sensor, a malfunctioning throttle position sensor, or a transmission problem.
Q.3) Can a bad mass air flow sensor cause a car to stop accelerating while driving?
Yes, the faulty MAF does not calculate the fuel-to-air ratio, leading to a loss of acceleration.
Q.4) What are the symptoms of a failing throttle position sensor?
The signs of a failing FTP sensor include reduced acceleration, poor engine performance, hesitation when accelerating, a rough idle, and the Check Engine light coming on.
Q.5) How can I fix a clogged fuel filter?
Relieving the fuel system pressure, removing the old filter, installing the new filter, and checking for any fuel leaks are the steps to fix a clogged fuel filter.
