Engine revving to the max on its own

MSLIND

MEMBER
2011 FORD FIESTA
4 CYL
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

The other day as I was driving and changing gears, I think it was from 3rd to 4th but it could have been 4th to 5th, the engine just revived to the max. Thankfully, I was in the far-right lane and was able to pull into a parking lot, I immediately turned the car off and just rolled into the lot. I was able to move the shifter into different gears, but it didn’t do anything to help. I turned the car back on and it was normal again. Drove a couple of miles home with no problem. I drove the car a few more days no issues. Today I got in it, went about a mile and it did it again. I immediately turned it off and rolled in a parking lot. Waited about a minute, I turned it back on and the engine was still reviving at the max. Waiting about 5 minutes I started it again and it was normal and drove back home with no problem. When it does this the car won’t go anymore, just rolls. Sounds like the motor is about to explode. I have read that the 2011 Ford Fiesta has many transmission issues. Does anybody know what it could be?

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Just to confirm what is happening, the accelerator is acting like it is sticking to the floor and you can't get it to slow down?

Would you be able to push the clutch in and get the vehicle to neutral with the engine still revving?

If so, can you try and stab the throttle a couple times and see if it will come back down? I want to try and eliminate any possible mechanical issue like a floor mat holding it down or the pedal actually sticking.

Basically, if the vehicle is responding to something that is holding the pedal down or it is sticking then we are not dealing with a sensor issue.

However, if we have a sensor issue then I imagine we would have some codes. So, let's start with checking the codes and this guide will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

If we have codes, then that would give us something to chase.

Lastly, this is called unintended acceleration and I would suggest calling the OEM hotline and reporting it. There is a chance that even if the vehicle is not covered under warranty that they will want a dealer to look at it. However, they will instruct you on what they would like you to do.

Please let us know what codes are there or what you find with this other info, and we can go from there. Thanks

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Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 AT 9:31 AM

MSLIND

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your reply! When it happens, the car won’t go like if I push the gas, it doesn’t go but of course I can roll because I was already going at least 30 MPH. I can push the clutch in and move the shifter into gears and also back to neutral as well, but it is still revving. I just turn the car to the off position immediately after putting it in neutral, so it just rolls into the parking lot. Thankfully it doesn’t accelerate or pick up speed. That would definitely scare the heck out of me lol. I checked to see if the gas pedal or clutch was sticking but they were both normal. I have to take it to the auto part store to get the codes. I don’t know what a throttle is (I will google it though). The check engine light pops on every now and then but it doesn’t always stay on. Weird because the first time after I cut the car off and rolled into a lot then restarted it was normal again. This second time after I cut it off rolled in the lot and restarted again it was still reviving to the max. Turned it off waiting a couple minutes and started again and it’s normal. I guess u could say it’s like I’m in neutral but pushing the gas all the way down. I will go get the codes and come back here. Thank you so much.

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Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 AT 11:03 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Okay. That is strange so any codes will help assuming they are related so let's see what is there and then we can make decisions.

However, the odd thing is that it revs up but doesn't accelerate.

This makes me think the clutch is slipping but I don't understand why it continues to rev even if you are not pushing the accelerator.

So hopefully we have some codes that will point us in the best direction. If not, I am thinking we should try and get a video of this happening. Clearly you will need to have a passenger to do this because I don't want you to try to video this and drive it at the same time.

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Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 AT 5:27 PM