Why does my gas pedal get no power after filling tank?

Tiny
CORNADIOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 SATURN ASTRA
  • 60,000 MILES
When I fill my gas tank up, the engine turns over and everything but the gas pedal gets power. The battery light is the only light that stays on. Getting a jump from another cars gets the power to the pedal and then until I fill the tank again the car works fine. This happens even if I don't fill the tank all the way.
Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 4:26 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Sometimes the airbox which allows fresh air in can get clogged with debris and overflow. This is especiallly true if the car is parked outside as leaves, twigs, etc. Collect in box and clog the weep holes, the ater will run into the evaporator area and condense on it and sometimes grow a, "seaweed" type plant that will continuously keep the evaporator, (which is the radiator looking part that gets cold and has air blown through it), wet and cause the A/C not to work as it clogs the fins too.

Open the lower box under the passenger dashboard and inspect evaporator. Also inspect the drain for the evaporator drip pan. It is the small hose that always leaves puddles of water under the passenger side on hot days. Make sure it is clear and not pinched off.
If you have the Evaporator seweed, Lysol and some elbow grease is about all you can do.
Depending on the set-up, cleaning out the weep holes in the airbox requires removing either the windshield washer cowls or/and the front fenders. Basically right in front of the windhsield you will see an open air intake around the windshiel;d wipers. This is fresh air box entrance and you need to access it as well as the weep holes that usually drain at the rear of the front fenderwell at the ends of tha airbox.

I hope this helps you out.
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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
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I'm sorry to ask, but what does that answer have to do with my question? That doesn't seem to make any sense. My air conditioner works fine. It's the car that wont start.
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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Just to add to this one have you checked for codes in the computer yet?Also you said the battery light stays on is it ever on with engine running?
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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
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The only lights that come on or stay on is the battery light. The battery light only stays on until I get a jump after that it goes off. I know nothing about codes.
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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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  • 30,869 POSTS
The battery light on when its not running is normal. Have you had your battery test?If not have it tested and the alternator also at the auto parts store like auto zone Also while your at the auto parts store have them scan your car for codes.
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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
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Ok thank you. I will have those checked out. I will reply back when I have had this done.
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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Your welcome sounds good keep me posted also if you have any codes get me the exact code numbers not the code descriptions.
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Friday, September 16th, 2011 AT 7:11 PM

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