Accelerator sticks
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 110
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Accelerator sticks
I have a '99 Expy EB. For the past month, I've noticed that the gas pedal seems to stick when I accelerate from a dead stop. I like to accelerate smoothly (unlike my husband, who doesn't mind how many times the back of one's head hits the headrest), so this is disturbing. When it gets to the sticky part, it jumps over it, and the truck lurches. Needless to say, this is a horrendous accident waiting to happen. Is this something I can fix myself? Anyone have ideas?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Accelerator sticks
Does it happen as soon as you press the pedal? You have to press it extra hard to get the pedal to move? If that's it the problem is probably the throttle plate in the throttle body binding and the throttle body will have to be replaced. You can try disconnecting the cable from the throttle body and see what the pedal feels like then which would tell you if it's the cable or throttle body. The throttle body usually wont bind with the engine not running so you might not be able to feel that part accurately. Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 329
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Accelerator sticks
I would take it into a certified mechanic. These throttle assembly's are very complicated. If you do it wrong you could get it to stick completely and cause an accident!
I sure wouldn't try to fix it my self!!!
I sure wouldn't try to fix it my self!!!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Accelerator sticks
I can't really describe it. It just feels like it's sticking. You don't have to slam down on the accelerator to get it to go -- you just have to press it further than you ought to. BTW, it only happens when it's cold, or near cold. After I drive for 30 minutes or so, it doesn't do it. Does that help?
Also, any idea what the Ford place would charge to clean the throttle body? I came into some Xmas cash :-X12 so I'm getting a tune-up and some other things done at the same time.
Also, any idea what the Ford place would charge to clean the throttle body? I came into some Xmas cash :-X12 so I'm getting a tune-up and some other things done at the same time.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Texas, USA
Accelerator sticks
I once had a sticky go pedal that behaved exactly as you described on my '97 when it was cold. I found the sticky problem was caused by accumulated gummy residue in the throttle body around the area of the butterfly valve. I removed the air duct going into the throttle body. Then wiped out the throttle body with a rag saoked in some mineral spirits until it was clean . I cleaned the edges of the butterfly plate the with the same. Then I soaked a rag in WD-40 and wiped the area clean again, including the edges of the butterfly plate. Haven't had a problems since, and that was 50K miles ago. Later I figured out that I had slightly over oiled the K&N filter.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
Accelerator sticks
Throttle body is the likely culprit - I would go with the earlier recommendation to clean it. JohnH200 - what's a "coated" throttle body? I've never heard of it - I take it that it's coated in something?
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Accelerator sticks
Since about 1990 or so Ford has used an anti-varnish coating on the inside of the throttle body and doesnt recommend cleaning them. That's why I didnt say anything about cleaning it but it can be done. I've also seen some chemicals remove the coating and cause problems afterwards. If you damage the coating you'll probably have to clean the throttle body pretty regularly to keep it working ok. Wiping it out with a dry rag usually does help but in my experience it doesnt help for very long. Just my $.02
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Blountsville USA
Accelerator sticks
My 2000 Exp's throttle is sticking and I think it is the butterfly sticking in the bore. I haven't tried to fix it yet, but I will sometime. It is very annoying when you try to barely depress the throttle and it doesn't want to move. Then you press harder and it gives and takes off hard. Mine sticks all the time but only in the idle position.
