What would cause my 2008 Dodge Carvan to shut off when coming to a stop?

ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like you have an issue with the vehicles idle control system. When coming to a stop or when parking the vehicles computer must adjust the idle in order to keep the engine from stalling from the lack of air. Most of the time this is as easy as cleaning out the throttle body. In some other cases it may be caused by a faulty idle control system or even an issue with the vehicles variable valve timing system. I usually clean the throttle first to see if it takes care of it. If you are planning on having this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the vehicle is stalling] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-stalling-inspection

ANSWER : Nothing should be replaced until you have in hand a definitive diagnostic pinpointing the faulty segment of the car’s electrical system. There may be too much voltage drop in the charging circuit, as well as elsewhere, but start with the charging circuit. The faulty segment could be anywhere, so using the factory wiring diagram you just have to methodically and systematically test the entire charging circuit until the fault is found. It’s laborious but compared to replacing parts that might be perfectly good, properly diagnosing the fault will save you money and time in the end. As far as the engine warning light, at the moment I would fix the issue with the charging system first because that may resolve the check engine light. If it doesn’t, just request a check engine light diagnostic. If you want the charging circuit diagnostic steps performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a charging circuit diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there. This is a serious battery problem if the battery is now swollen and has no power. There has been an obviously internal fault. This will cause the vehicle to power down and the EPS light to come on as well. The EPS light is the warning indicator for the electric power steering. I strongly suggest having a qualified technician do a diagnostic inspection to determine the root cause of the battery behavior and if there has been any compromise to the other electrical systems. It may only be a failed battery. If you’d like to have this checked, YourMechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with an electrical inspection and can replace your battery as needed.

ANSWER : Hi there. Typically when an engine shuts off while under acceleration, it is caused by an instant reduction in fuel flow or an ignition system component that failed. Among the leading candidates include, fuel pump failure, fuel pump relay, or crankshaft or cam position sensor failure. It is probably a good idea to have a professional mechanic come to your location to complete a car is hard to start inspection, so they can isolate the source of this problem and recommend the right repairs.

ANSWER : Hi there. Check the alternator and make sure that the wiring it connected tight. Check the battery cables and make sure that they are tight and clean. Look for any loose ground wires to the chassis on the vehicle. If everything checks out to be working correctly, then the PCM may need to be replaced as it may have a battery disconnect condition. If you need further assistance with multiple functions shutting off, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : Hi – first task is to read any problem codes, whether the Check Engine light is on or not. Most auto parts stores will do this for you for free on a "time-available" basis. Any codes extracted are useful for diagnostic purposes. Based on your symptoms, the throttle position sensor is a leading failure possibility. A malfunctioning idle air controller could also cause the unpredictable idling issues, but not a shut-off while driving. I recommend a car stalling inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is stalling due to an electrical issue (typically pertaining to power supply or a sensor), a lack of fuel, or a failure with the ignition (spark) system. You will want to start by scanning the vehicle for diagnostic troubleshooting codes. Use any information found there to help guide you to the system or component that is failing. Without that information, you will want to test the fuel pump, ignition cables, spark plugs, and alternator function. Further testing may need to be done based on those results. For more help with diagnostics, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

ANSWER : Hello. Engine stalling can be caused by many things. A few common causes are issues with the fuel, ignition, or engine management systems. If any of the components to one or more of these systems fails or has an issue it could cause the engine to experience performance problems and stalling. Any issues present would be magnified by cold weather, as cold conditions require more fuel and tuning adjustments for smooth engine operation. A few things to look at would be the spark plug wires, the ignition coil, the idle air control valve, and the crank position sensor. A fault with any of these components can all cause stalling, as well as other performance issues. If the stalling appears to be related to your pressing on the brakes then it may be possible that there is some sort of vacuum leak, or an issue with the brake booster. As the possibilities could be many, I would recommend having a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to diagnose what may be causing your stalling.