Q: The car starts but engine goes off when you try to accelerate

asked by on February 05, 2017

The car starts but can't move at all. When engine starts it doesn't stay on for long. When it does too the engine will immediately go of when you step on the accelerator.

My car has 140000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear or engaging the brakes). The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor senses engine load and generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The engine computer then uses this information to adjust ignition timing and fuel enrichment. When the engine is working hard, intake vacuum drops as the throttle opens wide. The engine takes in more air, which requires more fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in balance. When the computer reads a heavy load signal from the [MAP sensor]((https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/manifold-absolute-pressure-sensor-map-sensor-replacement), it adjusts the fuel mixture to slightly more rich than normal so the engine can produce more power. The computer will then retard (back off) ignition timing slightly to prevent detonation that can damage the engine and decrease performance. This may also be caused by other closely related components such as a dirty or failing mass air-flow sensor, a faulty throttle position sensor or potentially a vacuum leak. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

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

What Are The Little Rubber Hair On New Tires?
Purchasing a new set of tires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-good-quality-tires) can be an exciting moment, though it may take some time for the sticker shock (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-negotiate-the-price-of-tires) to wear off. You may have chosen the tires for your car based on cost, performance (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/understanding-tire-service-descriptions-speed-rating-and-load-index),...
Need to replace the entry assist handle on my car
Unfortunately, no, they are not universal. The dealership is probably your only option for a replacement, unless you have something custom-made that offers more support.
Experiencing intermittent transmission issues
Hello. If your vehicle is losing transmission fluid and there is no noticeable leaks then it may be possible that the transmission is burning the fluid. I would check the fluid for any signs that the transmission may be burning...
Coolant leak - 2002 GMC Envoy
Hello. If the coolant leak is coming from a location near the cooling fan, this may suggest your water pump may be leaking. A common place for this to happen is from the water pump shaft as there is a...
Everytime I drive on the freeway 60+ mph it starts to wobble.
This a warranty issue and that means that, regardless of the cause, which I will help you with momentarily, the dealership is absolutely required to resolve this issue and resolve it pronto due to the existence of Federal and state...
Still overheating after replace radiator
Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket(s) or poor engine running condition can cause overheating. If bubbles are coming up in the coolant, you should test for exhaust in the coolant. If present, that would suggest either a...
Where can I find a mechanic in Central/Northern Ohio to work on our car? Has blown head gasket
Hello. We may have a technician in Northern Ohio capable of such repair. I will reach out to customer service and they will contact you regarding the pricing and availabilty of a technician who will repair your vehicle in your...
Why do i keep getting the po300 code after replacin plugs,wire,coil packs and cleaning throttle body. i have checked fuel pressure
P0300 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0300-obd-ii-trouble-code-random-multiple-cylinder-misfire-detected-by-jamahl-walker) signifies that there are random misfires. Consequently, there is usually a "global" cause and there are quite a few such causes including: fuel injectors that are defective, EGR valves or tubes that are clogged, ignition timing that is...
Light brown sludge in reservoir box but no loss in coolant and no sludge on oil cap or dipstick.
The sludge might simply represent cooling system contaminants. There are tests that a mechanic can perform to identify the material, that is determine if it is really engine oil. However, based on your description the contaminants are not likely to...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Photographer
If If you are a photographer, and you’re considering buying a used car, the big thing to consider is the type of photography you do. Thanks to the advances in digital photography, chances are you’re not hauling around a lot...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Just Retired
Here’s Here’s a cruel, hard fact – car manufacturers no longer target seniors. Instead, they devote their time and energy to appealing to the 18-45 demographic. Still, some features make certain cars more suitable for older drivers. We have evaluated...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Uber or Lyft Driver
Are Are you thinking of becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft? That could be an exciting career change – you’ll get to meet a lot of interesting people, and if you love to drive, what better way to spend...