hitch in throttle cable and cable replacement

[garyt]

Anyone experienced a hitch or extra friction at the very beginning of opening the throttle. It feels like the throttle cable is catching on something or having to get past an obstruction right when I start to press on the accelerator. I haven't looked under the hood yet, but will do that this weekend.

It's just a nagging thing that doesn't have any effect on how it runs, but since you have to get it past that point in the throttle, it's harder to pull away smoothly.

For those that have replaced throttle cables, does it have one piece all the way from pedal to the engine or is it two separate cables?

 

[IAmTodd]

i've noticed this in my sis's '02 SOHC. Its exactly what you are describing. I hardly ever drive it and she lives about 5 hours away in philly, so i haven't ever looked into it. So your not the only one

 

[TAS98xlt]

I have the same problem. Bugs the hell out of me! Especially when I'm in bumper to bumper traffic.

 

[plrs x45]

I had the same problem until I did the throttle cable mod and it is gone. I do not know why either.

 

[garyt]

Common problem

Sounds like we have a common problem. I've done the cable mod and it didn't fix the problem, but suspect this is the result of a stretched cable and may have a chance to look under the hood (wife's truck) tomorrow. I'll update as I find out what the problem is or may be and maybe someone who has already figured this out will give some input.

 

[Alec]

Make sure it's not the throttle body or throttle body linkage sticking.

 

[garyt]

Thanks, Alec. I'll check that. I'm guessing this is going to be pretty simple, but I haven't had a chance (when I remembered) to get the diagnosis done.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I have that problem too. It's been like that since my parents bought it with 34k miles. That doesn't bother me at all. Actually, if I'm bored in slow traffic, I play with it. Yes, I'm weird but oh well...

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by Alec
Make sure it's not the throttle body or throttle body linkage sticking.

thats exactly what i was thinking. i think theres a tsb on this for certain years; i know it affected my 98 sohc.

 

[garyt]

Probable cause found

90% sure I've located the problem. The throttle cable has a two stiff sleeves on it at the throttle body connection. Seems to be sticking as the outer one has to slide over the inner one. I'm going to invest in a new throttle cable next week to try to fix this and will post results. That is, if the dealer says that there is not a TSB on this problem when I go to get a cable and ask the service guys about the problem. Either way, I'll post an update sometime next week.

Things ruled out -

My accelerator pedal was also contacting the insulation/sound deadening mat at the very top of the accelerator pedal (above the cable), but I believe I've ruled out the possibility that the sticking feeling was coming from that.

I also think I've ruled out the possibility that the sticking was coming from where the throttle cable goes through the accelerator pedal, although there was some friction there, too. Added a second zip tie to make sure the sticking was not resulting from the friction of the metal cable end going back into the plastic bushing on the accelerator pedal.