2005 Honda Accord

GERDAANDWAYNE

MEMBER
2005 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
31,000 MILES

A few days ago as I drove along the highway, the car suddenly began speeding beyond 70 mph even with my foot off the gas pedal. The brakes barely worked. I managed to pull to the side of the road and turn off the engine. Upon restarting it, the engine revved up to an rpm between 5k and 6k.

I called our mechanic who came to my assistance and looked under the hood for a possible cause of the unintended acceleration. He checked cables from the gas pedal and from the cruise control. Everything seemed normal. Then he started the engine, and it idled at the high rpm. Finally after three or four starts and stops, the engine idled normally. It has been running normally ever since.

The mechanic advised me to call the Honda Dealer for further investigation. We were informed by the Honda Dealer that since the car was driving OK now and no indicator light had come on he could not really help us. I am afraid that this could happen again and possibly cause a bad accident. This is the first time I have experienced this problem after driving the car since purchasing it new in 2005.

What do you advise me to do next?

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi gerdaandwayne,

For the engine to be idling at 5000 to 6000 rpm, the throttle valve has to be opened to allow a lot of air to pass through.

Since it happened only once, it is not going to be easy to diagnose the fault. I would suggest removing the air intake hose and check for debris or anything that can prevent the throttle from closing. A bad air filter can disintegrated causing part of the element to go into the throttle and prevent the valve from closing.

When the problem happened, were you accelerating prior to it happening?

Did the Check Engine Lamp illuminate?

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Sunday, February 15th, 2009 AT 6:29 AM

GERDAANDWAYNE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Dear KHLow2008,

Thanks for your message. We had the 30,000 mile service performed and the air filter changed on the Friday before the acceleration problem happened on Monday. I was driving at constant speed down the highway, not accelerating, when the car suddenly surged and the brakes barely worked. The check engine light did not come on.

The mechanic arrived and looked under the hood. He found nothing obviously wrong. Then he started the engine. It immediately revved to 5000 - 6000 RPM, and he quickly turned the engine off. The next time he started the engine, the car idled normally and has done so ever since.

These are the items our mechanic looked into after the incident:
- Checked the throttle and cleaned throttle body.
- Cleaned the IAC valve.
- Checked all vacuum sources for possible leaks.
- Checked throttle and cruise control cables for signs of hanging up.
- Added fuel injector fluid to gas tank.

Nothing was found that could have caused the problem.

You suggest we have the air intake hose checked for debris. Any other suggestions before we take the car back to the mechanic? I am still somewhat uneasy driving this car, and I greatly appreciate your help.

Kind regards,
Gerda

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Sunday, February 15th, 2009 AT 10:43 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Gerda,

This model is equipped with electronic throttle control and you should try retriving for Diagnostic Trouble Codes. From the symptom described and the condition of the occurrence, it could be caused by a faulty APP ( Accelerator Pedal Position ) sensor.

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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 8:24 AM