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Figured I'd post this since I couldn't find anything on it anywhere. So today I'm driving when outta nowhere I notice my car responding terribly. I'd step on the gas (in gear) and it would barely accelerate. In neutral the RPMs would shoot up like nothing, but in gear it would react like I was barely taping the gas when flooring it or giving it more 50% +. No CEL, no other signs of engine issues. So I park at work, and on my way out notice my break lights were on and was surprised. Right away from previous car experience I knew it's that stupid plastic stopper deal. Not sure why it needs to be plastic but that's another story. So I find the plastic stopper on the floor mat, stick it back on the brake pedal, test drive the car and all is good. Not sure if its a coincidence and my slow acceleration is going to come back, but seems very likely that stupid plastic break pedal deal was triggering the car to go into some kind of Limp mode.
Hey I’m having the same issue, I thought my car was in limp mode bc of the cel it has for maf sensors bank 1 and bank 2, got both replaced and that didn’t fix the issue, it’s a very similar problem to what you’ve described, every other time I drive the car there’s almost no throttle response after 50% throttle (pressing the pedal down more than half) but then it I floor it, it’ll eventually jump to 4-5k rpm’s and downshift and accelerate very slowly, but if I turn the car off and back on it’s fine. I couldn’t be more confused as to why it does this. What is the brake pedal stopper? And where would I replace it?
Hey I’m having the same issue, I thought my car was in limp mode bc of the cel it has for maf sensors bank 1 and bank 2, got both replaced and that didn’t fix the issue, it’s a very similar problem to what you’ve described, every other time I drive the car there’s almost no throttle response after 50% throttle (pressing the pedal down more than half) but then it I floor it, it’ll eventually jump to 4-5k rpm’s and downshift and accelerate very slowly, but if I turn the car off and back on it’s fine. I couldn’t be more confused as to why it does this. What is the brake pedal stopper? And where would I replace it?
It's basically like a little rubber/plastic cap and it goes on the metal section of your brake pedal. Just Google search is and you'll see it on autozone. If you look along your brake pedal you'll see a push button switch, the stopper is ment to push that switch button, but if it disintegrates like mine had, then nothing will be pushing down the switch. Fairly simple to replace. Like a 5 minute job, just a tight spot.
A easy way to know if that's your issue is the brake lights will be turned on even if you're not pressing the brake pedal.
Hey I’m having the same issue, I thought my car was in limp mode bc of the cel it has for maf sensors bank 1 and bank 2, got both replaced and that didn’t fix the issue, it’s a very similar problem to what you’ve described, every other time I drive the car there’s almost no throttle response after 50% throttle (pressing the pedal down more than half) but then it I floor it, it’ll eventually jump to 4-5k rpm’s and downshift and accelerate very slowly, but if I turn the car off and back on it’s fine. I couldn’t be more confused as to why it does this. What is the brake pedal stopper? And where would I replace it?
Are you still getting the maf codes? I had this issue with a bad maf. It would throw the code I forget the exact code but then I would have limp mode until I restarted. This always happened in cold weather. I replaced the maf and fixed the problem. Maybe something to do with the maf connectors. Maybe give them a clean with maf cleaner spray or seeing if they are loose or something.
Figured I'd post this since I couldn't find anything on it anywhere. So today I'm driving when outta nowhere I notice my car responding terribly. I'd step on the gas (in gear) and it would barely accelerate. In neutral the RPMs would shoot up like nothing, but in gear it would react like I was barely taping the gas when flooring it or giving it more 50% +. No CEL, no other signs of engine issues. So I park at work, and on my way out notice my break lights were on and was surprised. Right away from previous car experience I knew it's that stupid plastic stopper deal. Not sure why it needs to be plastic but that's another story. So I find the plastic stopper on the floor mat, stick it back on the brake pedal, test drive the car and all is good. Not sure if its a coincidence and my slow acceleration is going to come back, but seems very likely that stupid plastic break pedal deal was triggering the car to go into some kind of Limp mode.
happened to me today and my heart dropped to my *****, found this forum and realized i had the same issue. just know youre a goat
It's basically like a little rubber/plastic cap and it goes on the metal section of your brake pedal. Just Google search is and you'll see it on autozone. If you look along your brake pedal you'll see a push button switch, the stopper is ment to push that switch button, but if it disintegrates like mine had, then nothing will be pushing down the switch. Fairly simple to replace. Like a 5 minute job, just a tight spot.
A easy way to know if that's your issue is the brake lights will be turned on even if you're not pressing the brake pedal.
Is this an on your back inside the footwell kind of procedure?
My '08 has just did the same thing. Brake lights on, no power while driving. No codes on the scanner.
There's your issue right there. The missing pad on the brake switch is directly causing your drivability issues. The other is for the ASCD which just won't set.
Replace them both and drive on.
Last edited by ILM-NC G37S; Jul 21, 2025 at 02:52 PM.
There's your issue right there. The missing pad on the brake switch is directly causing your drivability issues. The other is for the ASCD which just won't set.
Replace them both and drive on.
Yes. Success. As you theorized, all issues resolved.
It was funny, me twisting and turning, trying to get to an angle that I could use both hands, upside down in the footwell. I finally cried for help to my wife. It ended up with her in the back seat with a broom handle. She pushed the brake down while I finally after many failed attempts got both push pads replaced. I chuckle now but it wasn't funny then.
Figured I'd post this since I couldn't find anything on it anywhere. So today I'm driving when outta nowhere I notice my car responding terribly. I'd step on the gas (in gear) and it would barely accelerate. In neutral the RPMs would shoot up like nothing, but in gear it would react like I was barely taping the gas when flooring it or giving it more 50% +. No CEL, no other signs of engine issues. So I park at work, and on my way out notice my break lights were on and was surprised. Right away from previous car experience I knew it's that stupid plastic stopper deal. Not sure why it needs to be plastic but that's another story. So I find the plastic stopper on the floor mat, stick it back on the brake pedal, test drive the car and all is good. Not sure if its a coincidence and my slow acceleration is going to come back, but seems very likely that stupid plastic break pedal deal was triggering the car to go into some kind of Limp mode.
My issue was slightly different
Happened to me today after a hard rainfall. My drivers side pillar colum is wet all the way down to the floor. The sunroof tubes are clogged and water ended up pooling on my driver side floor which can cause the fuse box down there to act up. The sensors on my brake pedal was wet and was also acting up causing the accelerating issue. First I unplugged the negative terminal on the battery then Unplugged both sensors attached to the brake pedal and dryed them out with a hairdryer as well as the fusebox nearby. That ended up fixing all my issues! Hope this helps someone else
Hey I’m having the same issue, I thought my car was in limp mode bc of the cel it has for maf sensors bank 1 and bank 2, got both replaced and that didn’t fix the issue, it’s a very similar problem to what you’ve described, every other time I drive the car there’s almost no throttle response after 50% throttle (pressing the pedal down more than half) but then it I floor it, it’ll eventually jump to 4-5k rpm’s and downshift and accelerate very slowly, but if I turn the car off and back on it’s fine. I couldn’t be more confused as to why it does this. What is the brake pedal stopper? And where would I replace it?
this is the same issue i’m having to the tea. Maf sensor for both banks come on but i replaced it i also ran live date and both maf sensor and throttle are running normal after driving it for a little while or even letting it run from a cold start for 5-10 minutes my car just literally feels like i have to slam the gas all the time even at that it’ll rev up to 4-6k rpm and will still be at 30 miles it’s just so slow. i turn it off for 1-2 minutes and it drives normal but yes im having this same issue if anybody knows anything to help please let me know
It's basically like a little rubber/plastic cap and it goes on the metal section of your brake pedal. Just Google search is and you'll see it on autozone. If you look along your brake pedal you'll see a push button switch, the stopper is ment to push that switch button, but if it disintegrates like mine had, then nothing will be pushing down the switch. Fairly simple to replace. Like a 5 minute job, just a tight spot.
A easy way to know if that's your issue is the brake lights will be turned on even if you're not pressing the brake pedal.
what if i’m having this exact issue except my brake light isn’t on at all
Getting home in the dark for the last week had me miss the broken parts in the front of the floor board.
It looks like from this picture, I am missing both of the stop pads.
Where is the second one? This would be a simple job if you had a lift and could stand next to the car and look under there. Also, how did you get the brake pedal out of the way? Mine only moves a couple of inches so I can barely see that little switch once I contort my body and somehow fit my head and a free hand in that floor well area. Need my Pym Particle suit (Antman Reference). So the consensus is that if your brake lights are working properly, then all is good. However, if this switch breaks, then the brake lights stay on and MAF codes are thrown as the car remains in limp mode. I imagine that the battery will eventually die as well as I seem to recall someone else having this issue and the battery would die and he couldn't figure out why....
There are two ringgit next to each other on the brake pedal assembly:
Originally Posted by socketz67
This would be a simple job if you had a lift and could stand next to the car and look under there.
If my old, out of shape, arthritic **** can get under there I’m sure you can manage
Originally Posted by socketz67
Also, how did you get the brake pedal out of the way? Mine only moves a couple of inches so I can barely see that little switch once I contort my body and somehow fit my head and a free hand in that floor well area.
Start the engine, run it for 15sec. or so for the brake booster to build up vacuum reserve, shut it off and you should have enough reserve for 2 or 3 “easy” pushes.
Seriously, don’t overthink it. It’s a 30sec. job max. Any longer and you’re milking the cow.
Also, no need for the “fancy” Z1 kit. OEM or Dorman. I went OEM as being the originals in my car lasted 17 years I am sure the “redesigned” OEM pads will last quite a while.
