There are sudden problems occurring while you are driving, such as stalling issues. What would you do if your car stalls in reverse?
The most important thing is to stay calm because there are a range of causes leading to this condition, and you have to find out which one is yours.
Then, you will know what to do next after reading this writing.
My Car Stalls In Reverse – What Does It Mean?
When you move your vehicle into reverse, and its brake is engaged, the engine RPM will drop. At the same time, it creates a load against the engine and transmission, involving many parts.
If one goes wrong, the engine will stall. A stalling engine would be due to numerous reasons, including clogged fuel injectors or bad oxygen sensors.
Automatic Cars Stall
In most automatic cars, there is an O2 sensor to monitor the oxygen levels in the airflow being pushed out. Sometimes, this component would be out of order or not work as expected.
Thus, the vehicle will have trouble determining the amount of O2 available for the combustion process. As a result, it makes the engine stall.
Manual Cars Stall
When the drivers of manual cars either put the vehicle in improper gear or fail to press the manual clutch, the problem of stalling will happen.
Another reason that a manual car wants to stall in reverse is due to too fast or sudden clutching.
Automatic Jeep Stall
The Jeep vehicle, in general, is hard to point out the reasons for stalling only in reverse.
Besides the common malfunction in the oxygen sensor or the bad idle control, you should check out your ignition coil. If it is damaged, have a new one.
When it comes to the automatic Jeep, the popular cause of its sudden failure is the problem in the CPS, also known as the Crank Position Sensor.
Once the crank position sensor does not work properly, it leads to misfiring, stalling, and bad engine function.
The reason is that there is a lack of spark in the engine, which is necessary for the car to run smoothly.
10 Causes And Solutions For Vehicle Stalling When Reversing
Blocked Fuel Injectors
Particularly, when an automatic car stalls when put in reverse, it would be the result of clogged fuel injectors. The fuel injectors are directly influenced at the circuit’s receiving end of the fuel system.
Once the objects or particles from outside enter the pump strainer and the fuel filter, making it hard to turn, the injectors are disturbed.
When the fuel injector of your automatic transmission vehicle clogs, it can not operate properly as normal. In this case, the fuel just drops from the injector inside the car’s piston cylinders.
As a result, there is an imbalance in the mixture of fuel and air in the housing, and your car will stall in reverse.
If you are in trouble of stalling due to blocked injectors, use a cleaner to clean them properly, then start the car again. In more serious cases, you would need to have your fuel injectors replaced.
Vehicle Moving In Wrong Gear Direction
In some rare cases, your automatic car dies when put in reverse because it has moved in the wrong gear direction.
Specifically, if you are on a steep hill facing down and have the reverse gear started, your vehicle might stall.
The solution to this problem is to put the vehicle in gear correctly.
Guarantee the stability of your engine by using its handbrake. Then, restart your vehicle and remember to remove the handbrake prior to moving.
Clogged Fuel Filter/ Bad Fuel Filter
Fuel filters play an important role in keeping the fuel delivery system functioning effectively.
Once this maintenance component is clogged by foreign dust flakes or dirt, the fuel pressure and its flow rate will decrease, leading to your car stalling when reversing.
There is no complicated method required to deal with this problem.
First and foremost, clean the filter regularly and have proper maintenance for this component. The dust or metal flakes should be kept at bay.
After an engine oil change and when the filter gets damaged or aged, replace a new one. You can either take your vehicle to the mechanic or replace the filter by following the manufacturer’s guidance.
The second option is more economical, but it requires certain techniques.
Failing Ignition System
The spark ignition system takes responsibility for providing the high-energy spark needed for igniting the mixture of air and fuel during the combustion process.
A faulty ignition system results in engine hesitation and engine misfires. Then, your automatic car stalls in reverse. It means you should have your car ignition system diagnosed.
Under some circumstances, the roots of a bad combustion process leading to stalling come from other components in this system, like the coil pack or the coil pug wires.
How to repair? You should first locate the malfunctioning elements in the ignition system. If they get damaged severely, replace the new ones to get rid of stalling.
Failing Oxygen Sensors
As the name implies, oxygen sensors are designed to sense the O2 in the exhaust gases. Then, this system sends the feedback to the ECM about how lean or rich the engine runs.
Once there is a problem with the oxygen sensors, the interpretation provided by the ECM about the fuel-air ratio when the fuel gets burnt in the combustion chamber will be misleading.
As a result, your car dies in reverse.
Don’t worry, as the way to deal with a failing O2 sensor is simple. If the issue is not serious, you just need to clean the O2 sensors. Then, check whether your vehicle still stalls or not.
If you still get trouble stalling after cleaning, it’s time you invest in new oxygen sensors.
This process is quite complicated; thus, you should turn to professionals with enough skills and experience to install the new component.
Bad Fuel Pump
Make sure your vehicle’s fuel pump discharges at accurate pressure. Or else, a malfunctioning fuel pump can be another reason for the issue of stalling in reverse as the fuel is not delivered properly.
Once the in-tank filter of this component becomes clogged, the liquid can not flow through and is even dislodged into the fuel pump.
This abnormal flow causes damage to the pump, which results in insufficient discharge and pressure. Finally, your car dies when backing up.
The most recommended way to solve this riddle is to replace the bad fuel pump with a new one.
A new pump can guarantee adequate pressure for transferring the liquid from the tank to the engine injectors or the carburetor.
Malfunctioning Idle Control Valve
IACV, or idle air control valve, is a minor valve run by a stepper motor, which is monitored by the ECM (electronic control module) of the vehicle.
The idle engine speed is maintained when the IACV bypasses the throttle butterfly valve to monitor the airflow.
However, IACV is located in the position allowing foreign dirt, dust, and oil matters to build up inside.
The buildups prevent the valve from properly operating to control the airflow, leading to the car stalling in reverse.
In this case, you can go for a spray cleaner to clean the IACV. If this element has been damaged, don’t hesitate to switch to a new one.
Remember to keep the adjusting screws untouched during the process. Or else, you may alter the ratio of air-fuel.
Transmission Fluid Line Clogging
When either your transmission cooler circuit gets clogged or the transmission fluid is bad, your automatic car would be stalling.
In an automatic transmission, there is no mechanical clutch but a torque converter, also known as a fluid coupling type, having the same function as a clutch in the manual transmission.
Besides, after a long time leaving your vehicle alone, there would be oil spillage from the torque converters through the clearance between the vehicle’s stator shafts and the input.
Your car stalls in reverse when cold because throughout a cold start, the oil goes to the converter, and the air becomes trapped inside this component. Thus, the system is locked up, leading to the stall.
Drivers are advised to reinstate the transmission fluid circuit of the car to the initial condition.
Meanwhile, altering the transmission oil or the malfunctioning cooler line will solve the stalling problem.
Damaged TPS Sensor
TPS stands for throttle position sensor, which lies on the throttle block.
Its function is to sense the throttling input received from the driver and transfer this information to the ECM of the vehicle for air-fuel mixture adjustment.
Based on the driver’s actions, the car will then speed up or slow down. Once the TPS is failing during a start or the engine is idle, the data will be misleading when the ECM receives throttle input.
As a result, the IACV required for idle conditions can not be activated, and your vehicle will stall in reverse.
How to fix a damaged TPS sensor? Simply replace it to guarantee the input and control the throttle position directly.
Earthing Connection Problem
The issues in earthing connection would be another root of the problem that is worth your consideration.
When it comes to the corroded terminals, the earthing connection at some parts of your car will get poorer, causing numerous trouble codes.
These codes lead to the vehicle stalling after starting for a while or even do not allow your car to start under some serious circumstances.
Have an inspection for the problematic connection on the transmission housing or between the chassis earth point and the earth lead.
Also, clean the earth points of your vehicle to eliminate the trouble codes.
FAQs
Does Stalling Damage The Car?
It depends. Which gear you have your car in when the stalling happens will decide whether the vehicle is damaged or not.
Regarding the aged engine, your car has minimal or almost no risk if it stalls in the first or the neutral gear.
In the first gear, the possible damage occurs when there is high horsepower, and the transmission ratio is short.
Remember to hold the brake while stalling in the second gear to avoid serious damage. In the third gear, press your foot on the brake properly while some throttle is being applied.
How Can You Stop Stalling Your Car?
Ensure that you follow these tips safely to quickly solve the problem:
- Once your vehicle begins juddering, put down the brake and clutch to save yourself.
- If the engine cuts out, putting the handbrake on is the solution to secure the vehicle.
- Start the vehicle again.
- Find the bite and get ready to move.
- Have an all-around check on your engine, even the blind spots.
- Take off the handbrake to finish.
Conclusion
Take it easy when your car stalls in reverse; however, you should apply a relevant solution in time to secure your safety and the longevity of the engine.
Consider the information above, including the causes, effects, and tips for this problem to get a better driving experience.