Q: Car only starts when I pump the gas pedal.

asked by on December 28, 2015

I replaced the throttle body and now the car will only start when I pump the gas pedal. What do I need to have fixed?

Car is hard to start Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

From this description it seems that there could be separate issues happening to your Mitsubishi Eclipse. The three most common reasons I see for a car unable to start without pushing the gas pedal include; the throttle body gasket may have been installed incorrectly, the idle speed control screw needs to be adjusted and finally the throttle position sensor may need to be adjusted.

Every car may be made up of the same parts but they all install and work slightly differently. Sometimes parts aren’t ready to install right out of the box so it is necessary to make certain vital adjustments to the part, in order to have the throttle body do its job properly. If this is the case, a trained professional can easily diagnose this concern on your car and determine if this is indeed the problem and will be able to make the adjustments necessary. While they are doing this, they can also inspect the idle speed control screw. The engine will need to be running, allowing the screw to be adjusted to run at the specified RPMs for that vehicle. Finally, with the throttle position sensor, a certified mechanic can adjust it by using the manufacture specs, it needs to be installed and clocked (turned a specific way) then a voltage meter is used to check the signal voltage (signal voltage is 5v and as you step on the gas pedal the voltage will vary from 1.5 up to 4.5 volts to tell the computer where the position of the throttle is and use his information along with other sensors to determine how much air and fuel are put in the engine) to ensure that the voltage specs are in the proper range.

As you can see, it is important to have a certified mechanic to look over this problem so they can diagnose which part may be failing and get you back on the road safely.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Light in the trunk doesn’t come on anymore
The tailgate open switch is part of the tailgate latch on the Kia Soul. Being that you say it works sometimes and other times it does not, I suggest looking at the latch when you open the tailgate to see...
Front strut is creaking.
It can be a challenge when it comes to pin pointing noises in the suspension system to identify what part is making which noise. It does not help that there are several components that can produce the same or very...
Car is shaking badly
There are several possibilities with these symptoms. The problem is most likely in the front end. One of your steering or suspension components could have failed. Your vehicle needs immediate attention. I would suggest getting the help of a qualified technician...
Clutch is chattering
A chattering clutch may be caused by a warped clutch pressure plate or flywheel. On some cars these warp due to the clutch release system or clutch pedal mechanism binding and not releasing smoothly. I would recommend having the complete...
Key fob won't unlock or lock doors
I believe you should have a technician use a capable scan tool to test the immobilizer and security system of the vehicle. There are likely codes present that will lead you directly to the issue. Also have them test the...
At what speed do you need to be hit at for the side airbags in a 2015 mazda 3 to deploy
Hi there. Air bags on modern cars are deployed not necessarily on the speed of impact, but multiple variables including location of the hit along with the g-force of the impact. It could be less than 10 mph or more....
After replacing my camshaft position sensor I have abs, slip and vdc off lights on. Could it be a bad camshaft sensor * 02 q45
Hi Travis. If you have multiple electrical warning lights on the dashboard after completing a camshaft position sensor replacement, and the battery terminals were not removed - it's likely that these warning lights are triggered by an electrical short. It's...
What does check awd means in Lexus RX350
Hi there. There is more than just clearing the light to this situation; there is a fault with the all wheel drive system. This system relies on many mechanical, electrical, and computer components to operate properly and safely. This fault,...
Can the positive cable be split with a dual post battery on a 1996 Sierra
Yes you can split them and put them on different posts as long as they both get battery power they will work.

Related articles

How to Tell If Your Car Switches Are Dying
Since Since every part of your car is controlled or operated by a switch in some fashion, it is to be expected that the switch will eventually fail. Some of the most commonly used switches in your car are: Power...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Instrument Voltage Regulator
Common signs include dim or flickering gauges, inaccurate or erratic readings from the voltage regulator, and an inoperable instrument cluster.
Symptoms of Bad or Failing Points & Condenser
If your vehicle runs rough, the engine will not fire, or the vehicle will not start at all, the points and condenser system may be failing.