While driving my steering and gas pedal suddenly locked up

SARAHBETHBRIGGS

MEMBER
2001 BUICK CENTURY
3.1L
V6
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

I could turn the wheel but had to put some force behind it. But my gas pedal was not working at all. I couldn’t tell if the engine stalled but my radio and lights were still working. I had to turn the car off and restart it and it ran fine. Just want to know what the damage is and how to fix it.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Did this just happen one time? Here is a guide that will help with this issue in general:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

However, it does sound like the engine stalled. It is typical for it when it stalls for the engine to just cut off but the radio and lights remain on. The reason is, the engine stops running but the key is still in the on position which leaves all these functions still on. However, the engine functions will stop working like the power steering and throttle.

So unless this is happening all the time, I would not worry about it. If it happens again, I would look at the RPM and see if it is 0. If it is then the engine is off.

Let me know if you have questions with this or if there is more to it. Thanks