WHOA...Holy Sheep sh@*!!

[Exp-Wi.]

So I was driving down the highway today, on my way to school, getting rather irritated becouse both center and left lane was filled with 50 mph drivers (typical for wisconsin) I moved over to the far right hand lane to pass. I punched the accelerater and blew bye these idiots and then veered back to the center lane. But much to my surprise, when I took my foot off the gas my 93 XLT decided she wasn't ready to slow down yet. It continued to accelerate at passing speed wide open. I didn't really think much of it at first, I tapped the accelerator a couple times..nothing... still picking up speed. Now I started stomping the accel...same, starting to get a little nervous now, I start hitting cruise control buttons, that didn't work either. Now I'm coming up on traffic pretty quick, buried the needle at 85 a while ago and still gaining speed. I reach down w/my hand and try yanking the gas pedal back ...nothing. Luckily at this point all three lanes in front weren't full becouse now I'm pretty much crapping my pants with both feet pressing the break pedal,and swerving from lane to lane to avoid rear-ending anyone. Eventually I got it slowed down enough to get on the shoulder shift into neutral and yank the key as my engine revved top end. After I got finished talking to god, and changing my pants, I got out and popped the hood, reached in and pushed on the linkage and it snapped back into place, but it happened so fast I didn't see where it was hanging up. Anybody else have anything similar happen? if so what was the problem and the solution? It was fine after that and I plan on inspesting and lubricating it, but I definately dont want a repeat of that, so any additional tips, feedback would be appreciated. sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.
Bruce.

 

[madmike]

Turn your key off alot earlier. or nuetral then ease to the side of the road.

 

[Exp-Wi.]

I didn't want to lose my power steering at 85+ mph.

 

[JGAMBLE]

have you ever driven a car with no power steering??? once up to speed you don't even miss it, it really only helps when you're going slow in turns. I've owned many old hotrods with no power accessories (steering, brakes, etc) you won't miss it at speed.

 

[Magicfan25]

turning the key off, if you turn it too far (like to where you can pull it out) wont it lock the steering wheel? Just put it in neutral would be safer I think.

 

[JGAMBLE]

if you pull it that far out, yes it will lock the wheel, the secret is to be on a straight path of road, pull it back til the engine dies, then push it back forward VERY quickly, had to do it a couple times in some old jalopies, they made me a better driver though

 

[Rick]

Just turn back one click. That way you won't grenade your motor when you pop it in neutral.

 

[Fhantazm]

Quick qestion I was thinking the same thing about grenading the motor. BUT, shouldnt the rev limiter kick in, and prevent that??

 

[dogfriend]

Just a guess on the sticking, but check the inside of the throttle body for carbon (and gunk) buildup.

If it isn't that, carefully check the cable all the way from the pedal to the throttle body.

 

[PUR PONY]

that same thing happened to me twice in my ranger.... but it was the gas pedal itself sticking..... i reached down and pulled on it a everything was fine. I used some wd 40 on in and was fine for away.... then it happened again so i took it apart..... been fine ever since.

 

[MO_GUY]

hmm....must be a not so common but still quite common problem with fords.....it happened to you and it happened to PUR PONY in his ranger......and while i visted my old tbird/cougar forum.....a few guys back there had this happen to them also........


interesting.......

 

[Alec]

It happens a lot more than you think in many vehicles.

Most common causes:
Dirty TB or carpet on gas pedal.

 

[Majisto]

It's not just Ford's. Think about it. Every vehicle uses a TB. It gets dirty, and it sticks. What's so strange about this? These cars and trucks are machines, and they are destined to break. The goal is to keep them in tip-top shape so the chance of breaking is almost nil.

Glad you were ok! I think i'm going to go out and clean my throttle body now..

 

[hvac man]

lube the cables, clean the TB. Glad your alright.

 

[Rick]

I don't think we have a rev limiter. Just a speed limiter. The only thing that will limit the revs is valve float.

 

[BigDave]

The manual for my '94 describes a reve limiter that kicks in at 4950 RPMS. There is a fuel shut off that is supposed to occur at that point to slow the engine down before it will send fuel back to it.

I have not tried it out yet, but that's what it says in the manual.

Dave

 

[Alec]

I have a rev limiter of about 5800 i believe, noticable when I'm locked in a gear other than OD. Some X's have a limiter of 2500-3500 in P or N.

 

[Robert]

I do know my '94 4.0L Ranger had a rev-limiter at 5200 RPM. I hit it many times in 1st when doing full throttle starts. It felt like my foot slipped off the gas pedal once it hit 5200 RPM if I didn't let off and shift before then. I also know my '97 4.0L SOHC Explorer has a rev-limiter since it shift right at 6000 RPM. Both vehicles have had their rev-limiters raised be a SuperChip. If it were valvle float, a chip wouldn't be able to raise the RPMs.

 

[Exp-Wi.]

Thanks for all the replies!

Cleaned, lubed, seems OK.