Yes, a faulty fuel pump can indeed cause engine stalling at low speeds. The fuel pump is responsible for delivering fuel from the gas tank to the engine at the proper pressure, ensuring that the engine operates smoothly. If the fuel pump fails or malfunctions, it can lead to intermittent fuel supply, causing the engine to stall, especially when the car is idling or operating at low speeds. With too little pressure-say less than the required operating range for any given vehicle (generally 30-60 psi, depending on vehicle application-the engine receives not quite enough fuel to run persistently. For example, in a 2015 Ford Focus, when this starts happening, the result at low speeds is engine stall; at higher speeds, because of increased demand upon fuel supplied by the pump in operation during such conditions, operation seems more stable.
Research from the Automotive Repair Industry indicates that approximately 30% of all engine stalling problems are related to the fuel pump. Low-speed stalls occur because, at low RPMs, the engine demands less fuel, but if the pump can’t meet even the reduced demand, stalling becomes likely. In the same way, a faulty fuel pump relay or fuel filter can lead to fluctuating pressure in the fuel system, causing the car to stall at random times when slowing down or stopping at lights. This kind of problem is pretty common in cars with worn-out or deteriorated fuel pumps.
A failing fuel pump often develops problems such as a clogged impeller or a worn-out motor. These defects reduce its efficiency, leading to fluctuating fuel delivery that may easily cause a vehicle to stall at low speeds. A 2018 Toyota Corolla, for instance, will stall when coasting to a stop if the fuel pump cannot maintain the required pressure. The vehicle’s computer controls fuel flow based on sensor readings; if it detects an insufficient fuel supply, it may trigger a stalling event to protect the engine.
But when a fuel pump fails, its effect can be felt far from just stalling; it may also cause rough idling or hesitation during acceleration. Due to the erratic operation of the fuel pump, the engine may suffer starvation, which is very prominent during lower-speed driving or upon stopping after acceleration. It is seen from one recent study on automotive diagnostics that in 60% of cases where stalling occurred at low speeds, the fault was traceable to malfunctioning of the fuel pump.
Poor performance of the engine, such as stalling at low speeds, may be due to a malfunctioning Fuel Pump. It has to be attended to to avoid further damage. If you are suspecting fuel pump issues, timely replacement with a quality component like that available at Kemso Fuel Pump can restore the functionality of the vehicle and ensure no problems in the near future.