Q: it just stop responding when I accelerate, then I will have to switch the key off and on and then it will gain power again .

asked by on September 27, 2016

When driving the car will just stop responding and slow down. While slowing down I will have to put the ignition off and on and then it will gain the momentum again.

My car has 215080 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Car is stalling Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Most of the time this is something wrong with the throttle body assembly or the throttle pedal module. These two work together to open and close the throttle plate as you push on and let off of the gas pedal. This system replaced the cable that was used in the past. Both of these have position sensors that must be compared to each other. If one fails and the PCM (powertrain control module) sees a difference in the two values, the PCM shuts the car down.

Ideally you will need a scanner and hopefully a code has been set. When you turn the key off and on, you may be resetting these codes, so the best scenario is for a technician to catch the failure in the act which can be quite difficult to do depending on how often this is occurring. I recommend booking a stalling inspection so that a certified professional can test the car and pinpoint the cause of 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

My car takes forever to start
The charging system consists of a battery, starter and alternator. The battery supplies power to the starter, turning the engine over. Once the engine is running, the alternator keeps the battery charged. A dying battery can be due to age...
What does the Malfunction Warning light mean?
The Malfunction Warning light is located on the instrument panel, and is connected to your emissions system. When your vehicle’s emissions are not as expected, the Malfunction Warning light will illuminate. The light will also come on if the system...
What does the ABS Warning Light mean?
The ABS Warning Light is located on the instrument panel. When there is a problem with the ABS (anti-lock brake system), or the brake assist system, the light will illuminate. As brakes are the most important safety feature on your...
why wont my truck start? 2002 Chevy Trailblazer
Hello. If the car was running BEFORE you replaced all of these parts, the first thing to do is make sure that you have reconnected any wiring (harnesses, plugs, grounds) that you removed when you replaced the numerous items that...
My car is not warming up to operating temperature
Air pockets in the cooling system can cause all kinds of weird behavior. So first of all, be sure the cooling system is completely full by running the car in park with the heater on max and the radiator...
Total Engine Replacement
If only the timing belt is broken, and there is no valve train or piston damage (due to the belt break for instance), or other engine damage, it will be more cost effective to repair the engine and even do...
Blown head gasket?
A blown head gasket may cause a number of different symptoms. A head gasket that fails between cylinders will generally cause a misfire and perhaps few other symptoms. A failure between cylinders will cause compression leaks from one cylinder into...
After changing a camshaft actuator, does one need to also change the spark plugs? Service writer recommended this but I decided ag
Hi there. If you haven't replaced the spark plugs on your vehicle yet, it's a good idea to have this completed around 75,000 miles. This is most likely why the service writer recommended the replacement.
Smoking from radiator. Is it safe to drive
It sounds like your vehicle is overheating. It is typically not safe to drive the vehicle when it is overheating as this may risk additional engine damage. Overheating can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant...

Related articles

What Causes a Car to Stall?
You trust your car. You may not think about it, but you believe that certain functions will occur without fail. You may be aware...
2005 Kia Sorento vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs are great for playing out in the mud, taking kids and friends around to different places, as well as just running errands around town. While they are not known to be terrific for gas mileage, that problem is negated...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Door Lock Relay
If the power door locks function intermittently or do not work at all, you may need to replace the door lock relay.