Why does the accelerator sometimes not respond?
2 Answers
The reason why the accelerator sometimes does not respond is due to throttle failure, carbon buildup in the fuel injector, or fuel line blockage, which results in insufficient power supply from the car, causing slow acceleration. Below are the relevant explanations: 1. Throttle failure: If the throttle fails or the intake pipe is blocked, it will result in insufficient air intake. Throttle failure affects the opening and closing degree, while carbon buildup in the intake pipe directly impacts the air intake volume. Reduced air intake affects the combustion efficiency of gasoline, leading to delayed acceleration. 2. Carbon buildup or blockage: Carbon buildup in the fuel injector or fuel line blockage affects the fuel intake of the cylinder. Carbon buildup in the fuel injector affects the amount of fuel sprayed, while fuel line blockage directly impacts the fuel intake or causes insufficient fuel supply. Insufficient fuel intake leads to an imbalance in the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber, resulting in incomplete combustion.
I had the same issue with throttle lag when driving an old Passat before, and after some troubleshooting, I found out it was due to carbon buildup in the throttle body. Nowadays, most new cars use electronic throttles, and this kind of hesitation is quite common. It could be due to poor contact in the pedal sensor, where the computer doesn’t receive the signal when you press the throttle, or carbon buildup in the intake system blocking the throttle plate—like a person struggling to breathe. If it’s especially noticeable when starting a warm engine, it’s likely due to an aging fuel pump causing insufficient fuel supply. I remember once after filling up with low-quality gasoline, the injectors got clogged and caused the same issue. Don’t ignore this kind of problem—last week, my neighbor’s car almost rear-ended someone on the highway due to throttle failure.