98 X throttle stuck wide open while driving

[CCr]

so here is the story, I was driving down nice and curvy highway 1804 here in lovely ND, when I come up on a semi hauling a combine doing about 20mph I get the opportunity to pass and I step it down, I pass and get behind another vehicle, but for some reason I am still speeding up. not only that but the vehicle in front of me is now on the brakes to make a turn. I stand on the brakes nothing, tap the pedals, nothing, try to pull them up with my foot, nothing. last resort, hazards, kill the engine, put in neutral, no power steering, minimal brakes. I stop 30 feet short of a rivine. I had to go all the way into the ditch to avoid hitting the beginnings of a guard rail. couldn't keep driving as there was now traffic oncoming and no shoulder due to the guard rail. I got lucky. after the adrenalin rush wore off I popped the hood and what do I find? the throttle stuck wide open on the screw for the air intake as shown like so.

here it is at idle,

I saw no tsb's or anything on this. anyone else ever hear of it happening?

 

[Turdle]

I look at the picture and wonder how this hasn't happened several times before-

 

[CCr]

I look at the picture and wonder how this hasn't happened several times before-

I know I've had it wide open before too, not sure why it happened this time.

 

[xdviper]

I don't understand why you didn't put it in atleast 1st gear to have engine braking.. and when you shut off the engine while it's on drive, wouldn't you be able to put it back in reserve or park? What would happen?

 

[Cobraguy]

I don't understand why you didn't put it in atleast 1st gear to have engine braking.. and when you shut off the engine while it's on drive, wouldn't you be able to put it back in reserve or park? What would happen?

WHAT?? Go from Drive to Low at WOT and at speed?

I need to ask CCR, is that the factory clamp? Or has someone replaced it? If it's factory, is it still "fastened" so it can't rotate? I'm wondering if the clamp is out of the factory position. Thank God you weren't killed.

As the owner of a 2004 Cobra, we had to turn Ford into the NTSA for their throttles sticking at WOT. Many of us had complained to Ford, but they did nothing and refused to admit a problem. Nothing like 525 hp at the wheels at WOT and no control. What was happening with those cars was the way they designed the gas pedal allowed them to get stuck in the carpeting at WOT. Ford had to recall them all and fix it.

 

[Turdle]

Yeah-
I think everyone should be checking that clamp-
it looks like the factory location to me--

If you look at the pic closely, there is a tab on the rubber which fits into a slot in the clamp-

I think the air tube should be rotated so the clamp screw faces straight up

 

[CCr]

I've never had that clamp off but who knows prior to me buying it used. there is a plastic tab that holds it there. it is all factory. I think it's probably too late for a recall but it is definitely deserved in this case.

as far as slamming it into park or reverse at about 90 (or so) mph I'd say that'd do nothing but scatter the tranny.

I think everyone should check this out on their X's. I just filed mine down a little so that there is no possibility of it ever happening again. it is a metal bracket.

 

[CDW6212R]

My 93 Explorer used to stick at WOT, many times. I never figured out what it was, and the first time was hairy as I was in traffic. That's a good catch, I wonder if that's common for the 4.0's to have those parts too close together.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Correct me if I'm wrong but, you can shut the engine off, in gear (even an automatic) and because there is still pressure in the tranny and TC, it will turn the engine over just like a manual.

This will keep the steering pump going as well as the brake booster, until you're down to about 20mph.

We used to do this to company trucks back in the '80's. You would load up the exhaust with raw gas vapors then turn the key back on and BAM sounded like a backfire (good way to blow up the muffler)

 

[vroomzoomboom]

ccr, witch motor is in your truck? 5.0L, 4.0L SOHC, or 4.0L OHV just for my curiosity?

 

[CDW6212R]

The later trucks have the throttle cable on the left side, whereas the older pre-95's have it on the right side.

The steering pump shuts off with the engine.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

The steering pump shuts off with the engine.

I think you missed my comment Don.

There is enough pressure in the transmission system to keep the engine turning over without spark, therefore all the other systems driven by the crankshaft (by gears, belts or 'other') will continue to be driven.

 

[CDW6212R]

That was my point, the engine will stop completely when you turn off the key. The torque converter does not transfer any power forward to the flexplate. I have shut off the engine many times at speed in various Fords. I have not experienced the vehicles that you have where you still had some kind of power to the accessories.

It's a normal characteristic for most vehicles to lose all accessories when the key is turned off. At WOT(5000rpm+) it may take a couple of seconds for the engine to slow down to a stop. Regards,

 

[CCr]

I put mine in neutral after I shut it off because I didn't know what the problem was and I opted to save the parts. should something have broken it woulda been the same as being in neutral. and it's a 4.0 sohc

 

[Jakee]

Who knows how anyone would respond when something like this happens. It happens when you least expect it and you don't have time to think.

I've had this happen to me (With an older car I use to own) and I turned the car off and fought the steering just like the thread starter.

As far as the clamp bolt position and the throttle linkage - Something is different than stock because I know for sure it wasn't that close from the factory. Maybe the rubber tube shifted down or something?

 

[zonianbrat]

I just went outside and checked mine and the screw is on the complete other side away from the thottle linkage. I think someone must have taken it off and maybe re-installed it backwards on backwards on your truck. I too have the 4.0 Sohc

 

[xdviper]

God forbid this happens to anyone.
Ok I see putting into a low gear while WOT sounds like a really good way to blow a motor :, but say if you put in N and then slam the brakes to enough speed for the hand brake to stop the vehicle, wouldn't that work as well and shut of the engine after depressing the handbrake....?

 

[gijoecam]

The original poster's intake tube is out of position. This is not some design flaw that merits a recall.

Here's how it should look:

I'm holding it at WOT for the pic. (Just took it 2 minutes ago)

Another (slightly blurry) angle:

From teh first pic, you can see there are two nubs on the intake tube that are supposed to be located on either side of a tab on the throttle body. I suspect that if you look at yours, you'll find it's off to the side, and that's what allowed the clamp to be in the wrong position.

Call off the dogs, gang... 2 minutes with a screwdriver or 5/16 nut driveer or socket and wratchet and it'll be all fixed.

-Joe

 

[Turdle]

Yeah-
pointing straight up like I said earlier-

HA ha
All you needed to do was loosen the clamp, twist a bit and tighten.

But you needed grinder practice so it's all good--:



JK

 

[Jakee]

God forbid this happens to anyone.
Ok I see putting into a low gear while WOT sounds like a really good way to blow a motor :, but say if you put in N and then slam the brakes to enough speed for the hand brake to stop the vehicle, wouldn't that work as well and shut of the engine after depressing the handbrake....?

I believe the best option for us all is preventive maintenance. Check your throttle linkage and make sure nothing is close to make it bind.

If your throttle gets stuck my advice is to push the brakes as hard as possible to get it slowed down and then turn the off position to kill the motor, then back to the acc on position. Just beware that you may hear a sound like a gunshot. The older cars would make a "KAAAABOOOOOOM" sound if you did this.