Throttle sticking.

[JohnAerostarXLT]

This is not related to the wheels/tires as I have not made the swap yet, so my van is still on stockers.

I had an unnerving experience today when my throttle got stuck at nearly WOT. It has been a little stickey lately but nothing like this. It would steadily keep a 35-45 MPH cruise on its own without my pressing the trottle. I noticed it when getting off the freeway and it was taking an enourmous amount of braking to slow down when I wasnt going that fast to begin with.

Anyway, I was just away from home, which is all empty country roads, so I drove it on in instead of getting it towed.

I think the problem is in the throttle body. I believe it is all gunked up with carbon and this is causing the butter fly to get stuck open. Nearly the same thing happened on my 1991 Tempo when it had about 200K miles as well. I'm going to check this out tomorrow and let you guys know what I find.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Use a throttle body cleaner that is oxygen sensor safe (recommended for fuel injected vehicles). WD-40 is recommended on the external moving parts.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

10-4

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the placement of the driver's side froor mat. The throttle pedal might get caught occasionally if the mat is underneath or on the side of it. Leave a little space around that area.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Check the placement of the driver's side froor mat. The throttle pedal might get caught occasionally if the mat is underneath or on the side of it. Leave a little space around that area.

I do not have a floor mat on that side. Besides that, I was lifting up the pedal with my foot when it was stuck nearly all the way down in an effort to dislodge it. It worked somewhat and I was able to get it back to maybe only 1/4 of the way down instead of 3/4.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check the return spring?

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Did you check the return spring?

Yes and it was working.

The thottle cable itself was sticking. I was able to move the throttle linkage freely under the hood, but the cable running from the pedal to the linkage was stiff as a board and would stick wide open or nearly wide open easily, which is what happened last night. I lubricated the cable and its working fine again.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update! What did you use as a lubricant (WD-40, lithium grease, motor oil, etc)?

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

thanks for the update! What did you use as a lubricant (wd-40, lithium grease, motor oil, etc)?

wd-40.