Q: Gas pedal not working

asked by on February 25, 2016

The gas pedal stopped working while I was driving the car. I can press it, but the car does not accelerate.

Hello. Your car is equipped with an electric throttle actuator, so there is no mechanical link between the gas pedal and the throttle valve. The gas pedal in your car is just a sensor that tells the computer how much throttle is being requested and the computer opens the throttle valve to determine what you are asking for.

As your car is computer controlled, it should be scanned for codes and data. If there are no codes, there could be an input that the computer is seeing that is not letting the computer open the throttle valve. A common cause for this is the stop lamp switch sending an incorrect signal by being stuck or misadjusted as per TSB NTB14-107. The mechanic should be able to determine why your gas pedal is not working.

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

Car shudders and vibrates
The front crankshaft damper may have come apart and is not balancing the engine anymore. I recommend that you have a mechanic such as one from YourMechanic, come by and run a diagnosis on your car's vibration (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-shaking-or-vibrating-inspection), including an...
If an AC compressor is bad, what else should be replaced?
This all depends on if the compressor came apart and sent debris throughout the entire system. If so, either the system will need to be flushed out or all of the components will need to be replaced. The next issue...
The temperature gauge goes above middle too hot
If the gauge is moving into "hot" territory, then the car is overheating. You will not necessarily leak water during an overheat. Overheating can be the result of a couple of different failures. I will start with the easiest to...
Clicking in motor. Losing power and cutting off while driving. Any ideas?
Hi there. In many cases, a clicking or ticking sound is caused either by a damaged serpentine belt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/serpentine-drive-belt-replacement) or can be caused by the valves or cylinder head hardware that is not properly lubricated. The fact you're losing power...
Car won't start after sitting for 14 months
Hi there. Check the fuel pump to see if it is energizing, and check the fuel pump relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-relay-replacement) to see if it is clicking when you turn on the key. If the relay is not clicking, then remove the...
Heater will not stay hot
Hello. You are likely facing multiple issues at once. The low coolant would absolutely cause the heater (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-is-not-working-inspection) to function intermittently. If you are continuously losing coolant there is likely a leak on the system and it will need to...
Cylinder 5 has a misfire.
Hi there. To determine if the injector is not working properly, either you can perform a cylinder cut out test on your injection system or you can swap your injector on cylinder number 5 with another cylinder and see if...
Rough Idle
Since the check engine light came on you will want to have a computer scan for stored codes. This may indicate the cylinder that is misfiring or having issues and then further diagnosis on that cylinder can be done to...
Engine still rocks back and forth. What can it be?
If you are using aftermarket mounts, that introduces a bit of a complexity in diagnosing a problem such as this as aftermarket parts can always be a potential cause of fit and function problems after installation. The only way to...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Hilly Area
Do Do you live in terrain that is hilly? Do your city streets feature plenty of inclines and declines that can be nothing short of treacherous in miserable weather? If so, when it’s time to purchase a car you’re looking...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Caterer
If If you are in the catering business, you need a reliable vehicle that will provide you with what you need to transport your food, linens, and other supplies. Generally speaking, you're better off buying gently used, because you will...
How Long Does a Throttle Controller Last?
In In order for your accelerator pedal to actually work as you push down on it, it needs to be connected to the throttle. In older model vehicles there was a mechanical link that connected the throttle body and the...