My throttle pedal sensor is going bad. This is the third one installed in two years. The current one starting malfunctioning after approximately 3,000 miles. Even though this one will be replaced under warranty, as was the last, it is getting to be a hassle. Does anyone have any sugestions as to what might be causing these units to fail repeatedly?

 

What are your symptoms? Give us some history on this situation.

 

Symptoms usually begin with engine surges at lower RPMs. When holding the accelerator pedal steady the RPM varies as though the pedal was being patted. This usually gets progressively worse and more difficult to maintain a steady RPM. The symptoms finally get to the point the accelerator no longer functions. On one occasion I pulled into traffic, mashed the pedal and got no response, I finally had to let off the pedal and floor it multiple times to get a response. Now, I take it back to the dealer for a new pedal assembly (warranty) before the symptoms get extreme. I really need to identify the root cause of this problem before my 1 year warranty expires.

 

Tell them you need the diagnostic codes they are pulling. All of them. Then post them back.

 

I would look into a wiring problem or a sensor problem on the engine. It just seems so unlikely for a third pedal assembly to fail with the same symptoms each time.

 

Thanks guys. When the dealer replaces this pedal assembly I will ask for the codes they pull and ask for a check of sensors that may be affecting the pedal. One would think the dealer would have already begun diagnosing the cause rather than continuing to replace the pedal assemblies.

 

Farmall,

I've got a similar problem and I found this TSB. I've done a lot of searching on this and hadn't found it until I looked in my Amacker "Tips & Tricks" book:

2002 Super Duty Trucks with Repeat Accelerator Pedal Codes:
Some trucks built prior to 12-1-01 may exhibit repeat AP or IVS codes -- P0122, P0123, P0221; after replacement of the accelerator pedal assembly. Check the harness at the accelerator pedal and driver side shock tower for chaffing or shorts, and the AP sensor connector for damaged or pushed out pins. Repair as needed. Broadcast Message 0512.

I'm going to do this on mine as it's been throwing SES codes and giving me a dead pedal intermittently. Hope this helps.

Craig

 

After I almost had a few wrecks from no throttle response, I scanned my codes which led me to replace my pedal assembly. When that didn't help, I somehow ended up inspecting the wire harness under the hood on the drivers side and found a wire rubbing on the shock tower. Some electrical tape and a few zip ties and the problem is gone.

 

Farmall, if you've got a chip on your PCM check it for shorts or loose connections. I think I cured my problem that way. For some reason the chip was throwing an SES light and killing the throttle pedal.

Craig