Help with car problem

peacegirlpeacegirl Posts: 841
edited May 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
the past few days when I've started my car it immediately shuts off
and sometimes I've had to start it 3 or 4 times before it stayed started
it doesn't sound like anything is wrong when I start it and once it stays stared it runs fine

anyone have any idea what the problem might be?

btw it's a VW Beetle
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Gary CarterGary Carter Posts: 14,067
    Could be your altnator(sp?). Do your dashboard lights fade and does your radio not work.
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  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    metsfan wrote:
    Could be your altnator(sp?). Do your dashboard lights fade and does your radio not work.

    If it stays running after it starts why would it be the alternator? I would think it would be more like the starter is fading or your fuel injection system might need to be cleaned.

    Peace
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  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,301
    g under p wrote:
    metsfan wrote:
    Could be your altnator(sp?). Do your dashboard lights fade and does your radio not work.

    If it stays running after it starts why would it be the alternator? I would think it would be more like the starter is fading or your fuel injection system might need to be cleaned.

    Peace

    Yeah, I was thinking the fuel injector needs a cleaning. If the alternator was shot the batt would eventually drain and therefore not allow a start.

    Who wants to guess MY problem? :D

    My car will stall from time to time on idle. I runs fine most of the time and will never stall when I give it gas...only when I pull up to a light then "silence". It never happens when it's cooler out, and it starts right up after the stall.

    My guess? Cracked vacuum hose. Though I haven't seen one...

    :D
  • The ChampThe Champ Posts: 4,063
    mca47 wrote:
    g under p wrote:
    metsfan wrote:
    Could be your altnator(sp?). Do your dashboard lights fade and does your radio not work.

    If it stays running after it starts why would it be the alternator? I would think it would be more like the starter is fading or your fuel injection system might need to be cleaned.

    Peace

    Yeah, I was thinking the fuel injector needs a cleaning. If the alternator was shot the batt would eventually drain and therefore not allow a start.

    Who wants to guess MY problem? :D

    My car will stall from time to time on idle. I runs fine most of the time and will never stall when I give it gas...only when I pull up to a light then "silence". It never happens when it's cooler out, and it starts right up after the stall.

    My guess? Cracked vacuum hose. Though I haven't seen one...

    :D

    In your case, it could be a vacuum hose..or maybe also check the fuel filter and adjust/increase the idle if possible, depending on model and year of vehicle..though it's almost impossible to diagnose without getting all up in that shit..
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  • peacegirlpeacegirl Posts: 841
    Thanks Guys!
  • FlaggFlagg Posts: 5,856
    I bet Speedy could recommend a good mechanic. hehehehehe
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  • inmytreeinmytree Posts: 4,741
    edited May 2009
    peacegirl wrote:
    the past few days when I've started my car it immediately shuts off
    and sometimes I've had to start it 3 or 4 times before it stayed started
    it doesn't sound like anything is wrong when I start it and once it stays stared it runs fine

    anyone have any idea what the problem might be?

    btw it's a VW Beetle

    what engine do you have...? gas, diesel, turbo...?

    How many miles on this car? Do you notice any smoke out of the tailpipe upon start up? When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? How about the spark plugs? You say upon start up it runs fine. I'm guessing no lights are on, the idle is smooth, and you don't smell anything from the exhaust, i.e., a "rich" running smell. You'll know what I mean.

    I'm guessing you may have a bad sensor, a bad ignition switch, or a clogged fuel filter. Your plugs may be warn, as well.

    here is a new beetle forum that may be helpful: http://newbeetle.org/forums/
    Post edited by inmytree on
  • inmytreeinmytree Posts: 4,741
    mca47 wrote:
    g under p wrote:
    metsfan wrote:
    Could be your altnator(sp?). Do your dashboard lights fade and does your radio not work.

    If it stays running after it starts why would it be the alternator? I would think it would be more like the starter is fading or your fuel injection system might need to be cleaned.

    Peace

    Yeah, I was thinking the fuel injector needs a cleaning. If the alternator was shot the batt would eventually drain and therefore not allow a start.

    Who wants to guess MY problem? :D

    My car will stall from time to time on idle. I runs fine most of the time and will never stall when I give it gas...only when I pull up to a light then "silence". It never happens when it's cooler out, and it starts right up after the stall.

    My guess? Cracked vacuum hose. Though I haven't seen one...

    :D

    what kind of car are we talking about...?
  • blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
    Does is kind of sputter when it stalls?

    My first reaction reading this (with limited mechanical knowledge) is fuel filter or bad gas... Maybe get a little bottle of dry gas to add to your tank, and depending on your car, fuel filters can be easily replaced (mine is inside the fuel tank so not really easy for me).
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  • inmytreeinmytree Posts: 4,741
    Does is kind of sputter when it stalls?

    My first reaction reading this (with limited mechanical knowledge) is fuel filter or bad gas... Maybe get a little bottle of dry gas to add to your tank, and depending on your car, fuel filters can be easily replaced (mine is inside the fuel tank so not really easy for me).

    good question...if it sputters, I'd say a fuel filter issue...if it just cuts out, I'd say it's a sensor or electrical issue...
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,301
    inmytree wrote:

    what kind of car are we talking about...?

    Nissan Sentra
  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,507
    peacegirl wrote:

    anyone have any idea what the problem might be?

    btw it's a VW Beetle

    you just answered your own question. :shock: :mrgreen:
    If I had known then what I know now...

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  • LizardjamLizardjam Posts: 1,121
    My car used to do that but it was choking off at high altitude..............
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