Q: Car shuts off unless the gas pedal is applied

asked by on September 26, 2016

I went to the mechanic because the car keeps shutting off. I was told that when I release the key, only 12 volts is being discharged by the coil. I had the fuel lines and the gas tank flushed and cleaned. He overhauled the carburetor as well. The car keeps cranking on start up for a long time. This makes the battery drained. I'm able to start the car. However, it would shut off very soon afterwards unless I keep applying the gas pedal. The car would shut off if I'm at a traffic light, or slow down to make a turn as well as when changing gears. What could be the problem?

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

Engine revving when I pump the gas
There are a multiple list of components which can cause your issue. Your vehicle is particularly known to have throttle body issues (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-body-replacement) and engine vacuum leaks. (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/vacuum-pump-replacement) A diagnostic needs to be performed with special tools to correctly determine...
I would like to know what can be causing my coolant to drain quickly to the point where i have to re fill it every 2 days no leaks
There is a leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-diagnose-a-fluid-leak-by-mark-vallet) somewhere and if there is no leak, from an external source, then the engine is leaking internally. My recommendation is to have a coolant pressure test and a combustion leakage check on the radiator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-radiator)....
Looking at buying new rims, different centre bores and offsets.
Hi there. You can change the rims (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/3-essential-things-to-know-about-your-car-s-rims) on the vehicle and the 5mm offset difference will not make much difference with the mounting and clearance with anything. Keep in mind, when changing a wheel (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-remove-the-wheels-from-your-vehicle-by-robert-tomashek) from 40mm offset to...
Car makes a metal rattling sound when stepping on the gas. It has gotten worse over time?
Hi there: There could be multiple issues causing the rattling noise when you accelerate on your Mazda 6 ranging from a loose bracket, to an exhaust pipe that is cracked or even the serpentine or drive belt system that's causing...
Please what gear oil is best for my Hyundai sonata 2005.
As you may know, there are a multitude of engine oils on the market all claiming to be the "best" and prolonging the life of your car's engine. One of the main questions you will be asked when changing your...
I have a 2001 Saab 93 turbo automatic and it keeps stalling. Once it does, I have to wait about 20-30 mins to restart.
Hi there. Check the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) and see if they have been replaced. The plugs in your engine are designed to last between 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Replace the spark plugs if they have not been changed. If the...
My car will not go over 20 mph.
Hi there. Check the fuel pressure regulator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pressure-regulator-replacement) and make sure that its working and plugged in. Put a fuel pressure tester on the fuel rail and make sure that there is good fuel pressure of 45 to 65 psi....
codes p0174, p0302, and p2A03 read on code reader.
Hi there. What is happening is the codes are reading for a misfire on cylinder number 2 and the system is too lean on bank 2. Check the spark plugs and the fuel injector on cylinder 2 to see if...
Slight vibration and a humming noise coming from steering column and the front wheels
Based on the symptoms you are describing, you may have a wheel bearing that has developed some free play and may also have dried out. This can cause both a vibration and a humming noise. If you have altered the...

Related articles

How to Buy a Classic Jeep
A classic Jeep is reminiscent of an old war vehicle. In fact, many classic Jeeps are either the Willys Jeep model that was used in World War II or subsequent models that shared the same shape and design. Classic Jeeps...
Industry News for Automotive Techs: October 15-21
This week: home-brewed autonomous car, sneak peek at future Jeeps, scheming car hackers, Ram's off-road TRX concept, new turbo test kit from Lisle.
How to Troubleshoot a Car That Doesn't Respond to The Gas Pedal
Car gas pedals control the speed of the car. Inspect the throttle and pedal first, then the fuel filter and fuel pump if the pedal doesn't respond.