Car Won’t Start Unless I Give it Gas: Diagnosing The Issue!

Without seeking external assistance, let’s help you find the root cause for the car won’t start unless I give it gas issue.

Indeed, nothing can be more annoying than a car not starting at the beginning of a day! However, if it does start when pumping the gas pedal, you may get a sigh of relief. But this doesn’t mean an end to the problem. Indeed, it points toward the stemmed trouble in your car, which demands quick action.

Let’s Diagnose: Why Car Won’t Start Unless I Give It Gas?

Unlike other hard starting problems related to car batteries, this trouble indicates that either the mixture of air and fuel is not igniting or the engine is receiving an insufficient amount of air and fuel for combustion. 

And, because several car components may lead to this problem, let’s diagnose each of them.

Clogged air filter

Typically, the car air filter will be responsible for cleaning and filtering the air going into the engine and serving the ignition process. 

Without the support of this component, debris, and hard-core dirt can easily stack up on the path connected between the air and the engine area. This cumulation is one of the most common factors that cause a car to stall unless you give it gas back. 

In more detail, a layer of dust and grime accumulates on the filter over time, producing a blockage at the beginning of the air intake, preventing the automobile from starting and being prone to engine damage.

If the car won’t start, the air filter is probably blocked. You should be able to notice this problem early on since the engine won’t have its typical power and will be bogged down.

Faulty fuel pump

This kind of pump drives fuel from the gas tank to the car engine to assist the combustion process. Previously, these pumps were mechanically operated but currently, all automotive gasoline pumps are electric (with a few exceptions).

A tiny electric motor in a sealed enclosure does the pumping. This electric motor wears down over time for several causes, and the fuel supply to the engine is turned off.  

Most electric pumps are housed in a gas tank and are cooled by gasoline (this is why driving on a low gas tank for extended periods can cause fuel pump damage).

Replacement is the only option because almost all of these pumps have sealed housings that make the repair process more difficult. You can disassemble them but not reassemble them. 

The replacement technique varies by automobile type and is typically complicated (requiring removal of the gas tank, access to difficult-to-reach areas, and so on). 

Dirty fuel filter

The following component that can lead to the issue of the car won’t start unless I give it gas is a dirty fuel filter. Being one of the most vital parts of the fuel line, it always needs regular maintenance intervals. 

Over time, if you do not clean or inspect the fuel filter, many hidden problems will rise and worsen the engine’s performance. Neglecting to replace the gasoline filter on time may result in deposits within, which will eventually lead to a blockage.

Clogs in gasoline lines are uncommon and are typically caused by the use of low-quality fuel as well as extended driving on a low-gas tank. They can also occur in cold temperatures as ice accumulates in the system.

This repair is complicated because locating the blockage takes time and skill. Especially since the gasoline lines are so tiny that even a single particle can cause trouble in many forms.

Changing the gasoline filter is a less difficult and maybe more do-it-yourself task, although it is greatly dependent on the automobile type you drive. Some are simple to replace, while others are a nightmare.

Compression errors 

Everything has its lifespan and so does the car engine. When the engine’s “life” is up, compression begins to fail, the engine begins to burn oil, and the car finally cranks but does not start, creating the car won’t start unless I give it gas problem.

The easiest option to remedy this issue is to see a reputable mechanic who will use a specialized tool to evaluate cylinder compression. Aside from that, that expert can tell you whether or not the engine is worth repairing.

Failed mass air flow sensor (MAFS)

The Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) measures how much air enters the intake. To operate with the airflow, it sits between the air filter and the throttle body. 

So if you are wondering why you have to press the gas pedal to get the car started, the MAF sensor may be to blame. 

When this mechanism fails, the engine is forced to deal with an improper air-to-fuel ratio. As a result, the ECM (Engine Control Module) fails to compute the right gasoline supply, making starting your car difficult unless you give it gas.

>> See more: What Sensors Can Cause A Car Not To Start?

Swollen car throttle body

Modern fuel-injected vehicles have an intake system that controls the airflow in the engine via the throttle. The throttle is also vital for starting the engine. 

Unfortunately, dirt buildup will clog the throttle body, restricting airflow to the engine. The obstruction will decrease the performance of your vehicle over time. 

The unburned gasoline will then pass into the exhaust system. As a result, your automobile will not start until you put gas in it. 

Car Won’t Start Unless I Give it Gas: How To Fix?

For the solutions, you can base each circuit above with a possible repair method as we have already mentioned above. Hopefully, you can quickly find the exact causes of the problem and perform suitable repairs as soon as possible.

Here is the summary of the methods you can use to diagnose and fix when your car won’t start until given gas.

Check Air Filter

To let a sufficient amount of air enter the cylinders, it’s always advised to examine the air filter because it’s a primary reason for the lack of airflow. And, if the filters are clean, check for any leak or crack in the air induction system that may be allowing excess air to enter the system. 

For this, you can spray starting fluid near the suspected area. In case the engine’s tune changes, it’s clearly a sign of leakage.

Inspect Fuel Filter

Here, you can perform a visual test of the fuel filter. There are certain filters with a window that allows looking inside them. And, if the view is dark, gummed up, or dirty, replace the filters immediately. 

However, there are some fuel filters without windows, too. In such cases, you can assess the outside condition of the filter, and if it has been there for a long time or appears rusty, consider its replacement.

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Inspect Fuel Pump

To diagnose the fuel pump, an amp clamp is placed over the positive pump wire. Next, start the vehicle and use a voltmeter to set and record the amperage reading. Then, compare the recorded readings to the manufacturer’s defined specification.

Note: If the amperage reading is high, this means the fuel pump is working harder, indicating pump replacement- an ultimate solution to the “car won’t start unless I give it gas.”

4. Examine Compression

For checking the compression to hopefully solve the car won’t start unless I give it gas issue, rent or buy a compression tester. Next, insert the compression tester’s fitting into the spark plug, and turn on the engine. During the test, unplug the ignition coil and fuel pump relay.

Here, if the two adjacent cylinders have a difference of 40psi, this is an alarming issue. The compression value should be ideally above 100 psi. However, if you don’t have a compression tester, put your finger over the hole of the spark plug. 

Then, ask someone to start the engine. In case, your finger can withstand the pressure generated, your car lacks sufficient compression.

Test Throttle Body

Insert the alligator clips into the right jacks on DMM and set the range to 20k ohm. With three wires connected to the throttle body, attach the test lead to the center wire and the other lead to the ground connector or +12V input wire.

Now, slowly move the throttle full range movement from the closed to full-open position. Here, if the digital reading increases or decreases suddenly, this indicates a bad throttle position sensor. 

Hence, if you doubt that your car won’t start unless given gas, try testing all these components.

Check The Mass Air Flow sensor

The MAF may fail due to the pollutants that travel across the air filter. Hence, you must clean it first to see if that’s the problem. Since this component is sensitive, use only specialized cleaners for this task. 

Here’s how to clean the MAF sensor correctly: 

• Locate the sensor. 
• Disconnect the wires to remove the MAF sensor. Be careful not to touch its sensitive components at this step. 
• Spray the cleaner on the sensor. 
• Wait for it to dry. 
• Reinstall it and test your engine by driving a short distance. 

If cleaning does not help, the MAF sensor should be reset. Replace the old MAF with a new one if the fault continues. This replacement process is pretty difficult. You must carefully follow the exchanges in the manual or let an expert do it for you.

Car parts Cleaning 

The motive compartment does not need to be cleaned as frequently as the interior compartment, but the degree of inspection should be performed on a regular basis. Car owners should clean their vehicles at least twice a year.

You can use a specialist cleaning solution to clean it indirectly. There are several specialist vehicle fuel system cleaning products available to assist in cleaning complete systems.

Every single one will have its own set of specifications and mixing proportions. Carefully read the instructions before starting to ensure safety.

Overall Inspect and Replace Damaged Parts

If cleaning does not improve the situation, perhaps dirt is not the issue. It’s best to replace them with a new one to say goodbye to the “car won’t start unless I put gas in car” problem. You can begin working in your garage if you are an expert in engine technology.

Contact a professional

Not everyone is capable of repairing car problems alone. So for lots of times, it’s ideal to take them to a repair shop and leave the rest to the pros. 

Although it may be costly, this procedure ensures the functioning of your car’s energy technology, spinning machinery, and other internal components.

Car Won’t Start Unless I Give it Gas: How To Maintain Your Car To Avoid It?

Now you know how to fix the problem when your car won’t start before being given gas, it’s better to learn more about ways to maintain your car to avoid the issue in the long term.

Regular maintenance is always necessary and if done properly, your car will have the needed confidence to deal with any issue encountered in the future.

Choose high-quality car parts

Each component in your vehicle has a unique lifetime. As a general rule, higher-quality ones will last longer. Every day, for example, the air filter must cope with a huge amount of dirt. As a result, it must be long-lasting to carry out its function efficiently. 

If it has any flaws and is replaced with a low-quality one, you will quickly notice a decrease in efficiency. Then you must look for a new replacement as quickly as possible. 

Clean the car’s components regularly

As you may have noticed, the majority of the issues, including the case that your car won’t start unless given gas, stem from filthy components. If the air filter, fuel tank, and throttle are not cleaned correctly, they will malfunction. 

Cleaning your car’s components is thus one of the most critical maintenance duties to remember. Choose professional cleansers to clean them without causing damage. 

Check out this video from ChrisFix to learn more about reasons why your car won’t start.

Conclusion

We hope that after knowing the above maintenance tips of the car, you can diagnose the symptoms of this issue and determine the best course of action. If you have any questions about today’s ‘car won’t start unless I give it gas’ article, leave us a comment below.