Q: Why would my car instantly Redline when I turn the key to start it

asked by on December 19, 2017

When I turn the ignition to start the car that engine instantly red lines I'm not even pushing on the gas

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

Throttle Controller Replacement $267.08 - $1836.29 Get a Quote

Many cars do an instrument check when you turn on the key that involves the dials moving to maximum for a brief moment. But if the engine is actually redlining, you will know it because of the sound. If the engine is actually revving up that high on startup, then there is a problem with the throttle motor; a problem that should show up in a scan. You can have this checked out at your convenience by contacting YourMechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office to check out your Mitsubishi throttle and let you know what it is going to take to solve your 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

Side of my car is touching the ground
Nissan just issued a recall NHTSA Campaign #15V573000 dated 9/17/2015 that the dealer will replace the two front coil springs. You should have or will receive the recall from Nissan. You should contact your dealer and schedule the repairs as...
Dead battery on car.
The battery is a key component for the car to start. The car uses the battery at start up to provide power to the starter. Once the car starts the alternator takes over the job of supplying the car with...
Car dies while driving in rain
When taking a vehicle through deep water, a lot of care should be taken. If the car gets too deep, water could flow up the exhaust or get sucked into the intake and potentially hydrolock the engine which can cause...
Car overheating and leaking
If the truck is leaking after a radiator replacement then something may be loose. If the leak cannot be easily seen then I typically do a cooling system pressure test first to see if I can find the leak. Hopefully...
Windows won't close
Looking at the wiring diagram for your vehicle, I don't see any part of the circuit that would affect both rear windows, without also affecting the front. Because of this, my guess is that you have two failed power window...
What happens if my gas cap is loose?
If your gas cap is not tight then the computer will detect a leak and cause the check engine light to come on, or it may illuminate a "check fuel cap" light if your car is equipped with one. You...
car shakes only between 35-40 mph
Hello. Most of the time when you get a vibration at a higher speed such as this it is caused by a balance issue. The tire balance can be off or one of the tires may be slightly out of...
Fuel Pump
If you have a brand new fuel pump, I would recommend trying a few things. First, I would verify that the connections to the fuel pump are fully plugged in and that no wiring issues exist. Next, I would check...
My heater blows cold on the driver side and hot on the passenger side. I do not have duel temperature control
Hi Scott. Your Wrangler has a blend door that circulates heat and cool air (from AC operation) to different side vents. In most cases, when you have an issue as you've described, this component is damaged, or there is something...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
The The smaller size and aggressive styling make the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander a great choice for those who want an SUV, but don’t want to deal with some of the large behemoths available. With numerous tech options and all-wheel drive...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor
The The 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor is a crossover SUV that manages to provide decent comfort, power and performance into a single package. This also marked the final year of production for the SUV, as it was phased out due to...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Throttle/Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor
Common signs of a faulty pedal position sensor include inconsistent engine response, reduced fuel efficiency, and the Check Engine Light coming on.