I was stopped at a red light after a few seconds of being stopped I felt the car lurch forward as if the accelerator had been pressed. The light turns green and i attempt to accelerate suddenly I get multiple faults, the car wont leave first gear tachometer pegged at 2000 and wont go more than maybe 10-15 MPH. I get DSC Unavaliable, Parking Brake Fault, Engine Systems Fault. I manage to limp it home and park it, dash is still lit up and car is running extremely rough. I shut the car off and turn it back on everything appears normal until i put the transmission in drive, then it all comes back. Shut it off turn it on, Nothing but a check engine light. Put it in drive still nothing but check engine light. I have some ideas of what might cause this but I'm hoping to get insight from anyone who knows more than I do about these cars or has an idea of what it is. This really is the only problem I've had with this car in the 3 years I've had it. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

Possible throttle position sensor and wiring fault. See U tube to test.

Possible throttle motor and wiring fault- plastic connectors on top of engine

become brittle with heat.

Possible MAF fault-check connections and wiring and clean thermister and thermo bulb with jet of cleaning fluid.

If the wipers are misbehaving it definitely points to bad earths behind headlights.

Have battery load tested if it is not newish.

Scan for codes and see if you get an engine fault code which appears sensible.

I have very little experience of the above luckily, it's only what I have picked up over the years on this forum.

 

With the ignition in the OFF position, what is the voltage across the battery terminals when checked with a voltmeter?

 

After unplugging electrical connectors and working my way through the airbox/air pipe assembly to the throttle body to the air intake all just to remove the entire water outlet assembly, I started the re-assembly. Fired her up and had same faults as you have described. Turned out I had not reconnected the wiring connector to the throttle body motor. Is it snuggly attached? If so, do you have 12+VDC to the motor? I really thought I was screwed until I found that one connector.

Note to self: use a red paint pen to mark all electrical connector locations next time you remove the form fitted engine cover.