Engine Revving in Park

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

ugadawgs311

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Posts
102
Reaction score
10
Last week I received an “Oil Pressure Low” warning on my 2007 Z71 Tahoe (about 177k miles) while driving. The engine seemed to run ok with no issues. I checked the dip stick, and oil was low, so last night I added two quarts just the same as I usually do. When I turned the car on this morning, it was definitely jumpy and the RPMs seemed higher than normal, but the car was still drivable. After about 1.5 miles (maybe 5 minutes) of driving, I received an “Engine Power Reduced” warning. I was unable to accelerate, and eventually rolled into an adjacent parking lot.

I turned the car off and on, and the engine now revs up while still in park (as if I’m pushing the accelerator). I tried driving for about 50 yards, but the same warnings came back on along with traction control issues and stabilitrak issues.

What could be causing this? Maybe the throttle body? Is it related to the recently added oil, or just a coincidence? Any help is greatly appreciated!
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,560
Reaction score
13,208
Location
Richmond, VA
Last week I received an “Oil Pressure Low” warning on my 2007 Z71 Tahoe (about 177k miles) while driving. The engine seemed to run ok with no issues. I checked the dip stick, and oil was low, so last night I added two quarts just the same as I usually do. When I turned the car on this morning, it was definitely jumpy and the RPMs seemed higher than normal, but the car was still drivable. After about 1.5 miles (maybe 5 minutes) of driving, I received an “Engine Power Reduced” warning. I was unable to accelerate, and eventually rolled into an adjacent parking lot.

I turned the car off and on, and the engine now revs up while still in park (as if I’m pushing the accelerator). I tried driving for about 50 yards, but the same warnings came back on along with traction control issues and stabilitrak issues.

What could be causing this? Maybe the throttle body? Is it related to the recently added oil, or just a coincidence? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Almost certainly a coincidence with the oil. The only way to troubleshoot this though is with a scanner that can read GM-specific codes, such as a Tech 2, which you can get from chinacardiags.com for about $250. If you're on an even tighter budget, this one is pretty good:

 
OP
OP
U

ugadawgs311

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Posts
102
Reaction score
10
Thanks. So sounds like the oil isn’t the issue. I’m hoping just a sensor or something small like that.

Edit: any chance it could be computer related?
 
Last edited:

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,665
Reaction score
34,551
Location
Stockton, Ca.
sounds like multiple problems
low oil pressure could be oil pickup tube (or worse)
engine revving is something different, possibly the throttle body is goofy or even stuck open
how often do you do maintenance? when was the last time you cleaned the throttle body, intake, changed the air filter?
 
OP
OP
U

ugadawgs311

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Posts
102
Reaction score
10
I just had it in the shop about a month ago to fix the throttle position sensor. That was giving me a check engine light, but there were no noticeable signs when driving. The overnight engine reving, stabilitrak, TCS errors came out of nowhere.

The guys at the shop didn’t mention anything else needed work while I was there (not 100% confident they checked though).
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,665
Reaction score
34,551
Location
Stockton, Ca.
I just had it in the shop about a month ago to fix the throttle position sensor. That was giving me a check engine light, but there were no noticeable signs when driving. The overnight engine reving, stabilitrak, TCS errors came out of nowhere.

The guys at the shop didn’t mention anything else needed work while I was there (not 100% confident they checked though).
probably need to take it back to the shop then
 

Rocket Man

Mark
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Posts
25,965
Reaction score
50,651
Location
Oregon
This^^^. And I wouldn’t drive it until you find out what’s wrong especially if it’s revving up in park like you’re stepping on the accelerator, just putting it in drive while the engine is revving can damage the trans. No use making more trouble.
 
OP
OP
U

ugadawgs311

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Posts
102
Reaction score
10
Thanks everyone. After checking the dipstick, it looks like the oil is way over filled (well above the five dots on the dip stick). Hopefully just draining and changing the oil will be the fix.
 

AEChevy

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jul 1, 2020
Posts
3
Reaction score
1
Hey, what about the Mass Airflow sensor stuck open. Or Intake manifold air pressure switch to high...
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,665
Reaction score
34,551
Location
Stockton, Ca.
Hey, what about the Mass Airflow sensor stuck open. Or Intake manifold air pressure switch to high...
nah, it wouldn't make it rev up, it would make it shift weird and gallop like a horse maybe or maybe not even start or start and then idle down and die
 

Forum statistics

Threads
129,125
Posts
1,810,846
Members
92,211
Latest member
patrickleeleep
Top