Re: Engine keeps running, ignition switch off?

A fair number of cars how have electronic throttle control, though the Sunfire is not one of them. Even then, such a failure would be exceedingly unlikely, since there are multiple redundant accelerator position sensors with such systems, and the throttle actuator is designed to go back to idle in the event that the mechanism fails. (On many systems, if a failure is detected in any part of the system, the engine power will be limited, down to idle in some cases, to prevent the possibility of out-of-control acceleration.)

"Robert Hancock" wrote in news:RfR_b.594629$JQ1.228378@pd7tw1no:

OK, so the Sunfire doesn't have electronic throttle control. What part of the engine management system could possibly control the throttle? (I mean, aside from Cruise Control, which we are assuming she didn't have engaged.)

We are looking for a plausible mechanism to keep an engine revved up to take her on her 70mph runaway ride.

There's nothing in that system that should be able to increase engine power to that level. The idle air control actuator can't allow that amount of airflow into the engine even if for some reason it was fully extended.

I'd guess some mechanical problem may have jammed the throttle open - or quite likely something sillier, such as a floor mat jammed on top of the gas pedal, or the driver pressing the gas instead of the brake or something..