Throttle pedel

[mrdakota]

Been put'in some miles on the 1999 Explorer Limited the past couple of months and started noticing that when the gas pedel is un pressed for a bit while decelerating and then gentle pressure shows sticky behavior at the begining then it's fine after that. It's starting to get more pronounced lately and I searched for topic discussion and nothing. Is there somthing I should look at for this issue.

Keith

 

[Rick]

My throttle cable rusted from the inside out. I didn't know why it was sticky as all seemed well from the outside. Weirdest thing is I live in AZ where it was barely subjected to wet weather.

 

[410Fortune]

A sticky pedal is almost always an issue with the pedal itself. You can check the throttle body on the engine to ensure the cable operation is smooth. I would start by getting upside down with a flashlight and looking for anything above the pedal that it might be getting caught on. The carpet, wires under the dash, etc, I have had Ford's that get a stuck pedal or slow pedal, usually it is carpet or debris under there.

I have also had the pedal come completely off while driving, that was no fun.

If the pedal seems fine then take a look at your throttle body and the cable itself, make sure the butterfly is clean and the lever action on the throttle body is smooth, spring is hooked up etc. Ricks post is the first I have ever heard of a throttle cable rusting out, but it should be pretty easy to figure out if the cable is in good shape or not.


You can lube the pedal and throttle body linkage with some household oil if you think it's needed (not likely)
the back of the pedal has a roller, its a plastic bushing on a metal pin that rolls as you push down ont he pedal (if its like my 88) this can be lubed with wheel bearing grease.

 

[mrdakota]

Thanks guys,
I'll look into it soon and note the issue here. With the gas prices lately I've been easy on the throttle, like pressing down on an egg.

 

[gijoecam]

Mine's been doing the same thing, but I know it's at the throttle body end. I've tried lubing the pivot shaft and that usually works for a couple months, but it's back now and won't go away. I think I'm looking at a new TB, unfortunately.

-Joe

 

[Green98XLT]

Most likely it's just heavy carbon/sludge buildup on the back of your TB causing the blade to "stick" when the throttle is closed. My 99 had the "sticky" pedal when I first bought it so I took the TB off and cleaned everything really well and put some penetrating oil on the throttle shaft bushings/bearings and it has been perfect ever since.

 

[mrdakota]

Just took a look, and the cable is fine. Still lubricant on it, but the hand operation of the thottle body shows the souce of stickyness. I guess I'm going to have to pull off the assy and clean it.
I've never done this before, is there things I should know before I pull it off and chisel the sticky stuff off?

 

[spindlecone]

Just took a look, and the cable is fine. Still lubricant on it, but the hand operation of the thottle body shows the souce of stickyness. I guess I'm going to have to pull off the assy and clean it.
I've never done this before, is there things I should know before I pull it off and chisel the sticky stuff off?

Use Carb cleaner and maybe a brass brush,NO CHISELS

 

[410Fortune]

Also you will likely need a new gasket. The factory ones dont like to come off in one piece.
I have a roll of gasket material and I just cut a new one for the TB and IAC when I clean them.

Clean TB =

 

[gijoecam]

Most likely it's just heavy carbon/sludge buildup on the back of your TB causing the blade to "stick" when the throttle is closed. My 99 had the "sticky" pedal when I first bought it so I took the TB off and cleaned everything really well and put some penetrating oil on the throttle shaft bushings/bearings and it has been perfect ever since.

Not mine.... the back of mine had an ever-so-slight film of dust, but no carbon build-up at all the last time I had the intake tube off (about 5 months ago). Might be time to take it off and take a peek again though...

-Joe

 

[mrdakota]

Well the Saturday job is done and the throttle body's pipes are clean!
The NAPA cleaner stuff worked great with a little added agitation with a small brush.
I did notice that if you soak the grime with the throttle body cleaner and not agitate it then let it sit, the grime and varnish get even more difficult to remove. The grime gets a little like tar or asphalt like then. You just have to get it out and off the surfaces as you go along.