94 Sunbird Accelerates without hitting the gas!! help

kandy_k_46804 · #1 03-25-2006, 06:29 PM

I have never been on this site so please be patient with me.

I have a 94 Pontiac Sunbird LE and it is having problems. When I let off the gas after accelerating, my speed stays pretty constant and doesn't slow down much at all. I can coast for a very long distance and the speedometer drops very very slowly. Unfortunately I don't have an RPM gauge to see what I am idiling at. I noticed that when I am crawling in drive without accelerating at all my car is actually speeding up and I have to hit the brake to slow it down. When I am trying to park I hit the brake from coasting into the spot and the brakes jerk.....I assume this is because they are fighting the acceleration. I was wondering if anyone knew what might be causing this before I take it into the shop. Unfortunately I am rather poor due to college expenses and cannot afford much and am hoping this isn't a big problem. Hope to hear from someone soon. Thanks.

ponchonutty · #2 03-25-2006, 07:01 PM

Does it idle real high when in park?

kandy_k_46804 · #3 03-25-2006, 07:05 PM

i am not sure because i don't have an rpm gauge but i think it is idiling a little loud sometimes. A little rough. If I listen to it, the engine does sound like it is idiling a little high.

kandy_k_46804 · #4 03-25-2006, 07:07 PM

i am not sure because i don't have an rpm gauge but i think it is idiling a little loud sometimes. A little rough. If I listen to it, the engine does sound like it is idiling a little high.

ponchonutty · #5 03-25-2006, 07:09 PM

I'd first check to see if the gas pedal is sticking. The cable usually goes bad and sticks. You'll have to check it at the engine throttle. Sometimes too you can have what's called a vacuum leak and will cause the car to run fast.

kandy_k_46804 · #6 03-25-2006, 07:10 PM

The more I think about it, I believe it is idiling a little high in park because when I go to shut off the car and turn the key it seems really loud and then drops real hard when I shut it off. So I do believe it is idiling a little high in park. Also I just had the transmission worked on for lunges between downshifts of the gears.

kandy_k_46804 · #7 03-25-2006, 07:14 PM

thank you for your help. I will have to have a friend who knows more about cars help me. I know quite a bit for a young girl. LOL. I do know where the throttle is under the hood but I wouldn't be sure how to check to see if the gas pedal was sticking. Would I have someone get in the car and hit the gas slowly and watch under the hood and watch for slow reaction at the cable connected to the throttle? Thanks for your help again. You are so kind to help. =)

kandy_k_46804 · #8 03-25-2006, 07:15 PM

Sorry I am a pain in the butt. I have so many questions. I love learning about how cars work though. To get the car checked for a vacum leak would I need a shop to look at it and find it? Thanks so much. =)

kandy_k_46804 · #9 03-25-2006, 07:19 PM

Oh know, I thought of another question. I was wondering if having a vacum leak would cause it to idle high in park or any other gears for that matter? Thank you. =)

ponchonutty · #10 03-26-2006, 07:10 AM

Hey I PM'd ya back.

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