Imagine driving through traffic in the evening rush hour when your gas pedal stops working suddenly. Besides causing panic and frustration, a gas pedal that stops working while driving increases the risk of a crash. You should look for a safe spot and pull over to examine your car.
A failing gas pedal doesn’t necessarily mean that your pedal is defective. The underlying problem might stem from the engine, fuel system, or exhaust system. Identifying the cause of this issue can help you find a viable solution and continue driving.
I explain why your gas pedal stopped working while driving. I’ll provide the possible causes and what to do if you’re in such a predicament.
Answer: Causes of Unresponsive Gas Pedal While Driving
If you’re unsure about the cause of this issue, use your diagnostic tool to read any DTC stored in the ECM. In most cases, the codes you’ll see might relate to one of the following issues:
Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Failure
The MAF sensor is a key component of a fuel-injected internal combustion engine. This sensor, also known as an air meter, calculates the amount of air (oxygen) flowing to the engine. After measuring the mass flow rate of oxygen, it sends this data to the ECM. Then, the ECM uses this data to make fuel flow adjustments.
In other words, this sensor helps the ECM control the fuel injected/sprayed into the combustion chamber. If the sensor’s data is correct, the ECM will maintain the proper air/fuel ratio.
Unfortunately, the MAF sensor can malfunction, especially if improperly maintained. Dirt, debris, or fluids can contaminate this sensor, leading to failure. Also, connections can become loose, or the sensor may succumb to damage due to vibrations or an accident.
A faulty MAF sensor will send incorrect data to the ECM, leading to the wrong air/fuel ratio. Thus, the engine runs lean or rich and affects power output. As a result, your gas pedal will stop working even after depressing it to the floor.
A visual inspection of this sensor can help you identify the problem. You can clean dirt or debris accumulation with a MAF cleaner. Also, tighten loose connections or replace damaged wiring. If the sensor looks damaged, replace it.
Malfunctioning Oxygen (O2) Sensor
The O2 sensor is part of your car’s emission control system. It measures residue air (oxygen) present in the exhaust gas. Then, the sensor sends this information to the ECM. With this info, the ECM can know how the fuel mixture is burning (rich/lean) and adjust the mixture appropriately.
Electrical issues, old age, and contamination are the leading causes of O2 sensor failure. When this sensor fails, it might send incorrect information to the ECM, leading to a rich or lean fuel mixture. As a result, your car might feel weak while accelerating due to a failing gas pedal.
When fixing a bad O2 sensor, unscrew it from its seating with a wrench and examine it for damage. If the sensor looks clogged, clean it with a carburetor cleaner, gasoline, or WD-40.
You can also use a multimeter to check the sensor’s ohms. If the sensor is defective, replace it. Ensure to clean the clogs in the exhaust to keep the new sensor in tip-top condition.
Faulty Throttle Position Sensor
If your gas pedal stopped working while driving, the throttle position sensor (TPS) might be faulty. This sensor measures how wide open the throttle valve is depending on how you’ve depressed the gas pedal. It sends this information to the ECM, which makes proper air/fuel mixture adjustments.
If this sensor is defective, you might depress the gas pedal and get no response. This sensor can fail due to clogs, loose connections, high mileage, or damage.
Locate and inspect the TPS sensor to see if it appears clogged. A thorough cleaning with a toothbrush and a TPS cleaner will help remove dirt, grime, or carbon deposits.
Then, ensure the connections are tight and clean. Consider installing a new sensor if your multimeter shows that the TPS is defective.
Clogged Air and Fuel Filters
A gas pedal can stop working while driving due to clogged/blocked air and fuel filters. These filters prevent impurities from flowing into the engine. The air filter traps dust and debris, preventing them from getting into the engine.
On the other hand, the fuel filter ensures your engine receives clean fuel. It’ll trap deposits, dirt, and debris before they enter the engine. Over time, these filters will collect many impurities and become clogged.
A clogged fuel and air filter will cut fuel and airflow into the engine. So, when you push the gas pedal to demand more fuel and air, nothing will work. Luckily, the two filters are easy to fix as you only need to replace them if clogged/blocked.
Faulty Spark Plugs
The problem with your gas pedal not working while driving could stem from faulty spark plugs. Spark plugs are a fundamental part of the combustion chamber. They produce a spark for igniting the air/fuel mixture. With this spark, the fuel mixture can ignite and power your car.
Over time, spark plugs can wear out, become clogged, or break, particularly if not properly maintained. If one such issue happens, your plugs may malfunction and produce inconsistent sparks. In severe cases, the plugs might fail to produce a spark.
If the spark plugs fail while driving, no spark will ignite the fuel mixture. As a result, your engine will lose power, leading to an unresponsive gas pedal. Your engine will also misfire and idle roughly.
If you suspect the plugs are defective, remove and inspect them for clogs or damage. Wipe the accumulated clogs or replace the plugs if worn or broken.
Faulty Fuel Injectors
Check the fuel injectors for defects if your gas pedal stopped working while driving. As their name implies, fuel injectors inject/spray pressurized fuel into the combustion chamber. The injectors must be in good working condition to supply the required fuel.
But like many components in the fuel system, the injectors can become clogged or damaged. In such cases, the injectors might cut fuel flow into the engine.
Insufficient fuel or no fuel in the cylinders means incomplete combustion. As a result, the engine becomes less powerful, and the pedal becomes unresponsive.
To fix clogged injectors, remove and clean them with an injector cleaner and cleaning brushes. You’ll also need to clean the fuel system as well. If the injectors appear worn or broken, replace them.
Failing Accelerator Cable
The accelerator cable (throttle cable) connects the gas pedal to your engine’s throttle body. Although most modern cars feature an electronic throttle control system, some vehicles still use this cable to control speed.
By depressing or releasing the pedal, this cable will communicate with the throttle body regarding the gas pedal motion.
If your car has a throttle cable, you must maintain it to keep it functional. Remember that this cable is under constant use while driving. It can, therefore, wear out and fail to transmit signals to the throttle body.
Also, the cable connection can become loose due to excessive vibrations. In case of an accident, the cable can break or become frayed. If you suspect the accelerator cable is defective, inspect it to identify the problem.
Tighten the loose connections and clean them with a WD-40 cleaner if they appear clogged. You’ll need to replace a damaged or frayed throttle cable.
Wrapping Up
I hope I have explained why your gas pedal stopped working while driving. If you have a diagnostic tool, use it to read the fault codes related to this problem. Generally, the gas pedal can stop working due to a sensor failure, clogged filters, faulty spark plugs, clogged injectors, or a failing accelerator cable.
Inspect your car to determine the root cause and resolve it ASAP to prevent damage to engine and exhaust system parts. If you can’t address the underlying issue, have your car towed to a repair shop for professional assistance.