Yesterday, I was driving home from work. I headed up a steep grade, and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I stepped on my gas pedal to go. There was no response. The engine was running, but the car didn't move. After a few minutes, it sputtered forward a few inches, but stopped again. Luckily, I was able to use the steep grade to give myself enough momentum to go backwards into a parking lot. While in the parking lot, I tried several times to go forwards and backwards. It would creep slowly forward, and backwards. Then nothing. I did some research, and read about the gas pedal cable. I'm going to check that when I get home today. Also, I should mention; This is a 2001 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4 Triton V8. I've had 2 instances where the spark plugs have ejected themselves. Each time, I've had a mechanice use the heli coils to remediate the situation. Also, the Service Engine Soon is on, and sometimes blinks when I'm driving. When the light blinks, there's powerloss to the car, and air conditioner starts blowing warmer air. This might not matter, but just want to give all the details. This car isn't worth the money, to take to a mechanic. I'm a newbie when it comes to anything mechanically related to a car. The only thing I really know how to do is put in a car radio. Can anyone tell me what else the problem might be, if it isn't the pedal cable? Thanks!

 

Could be cable problem or TPS ( Throttle position Sensor ), would be a good idea to have codes read and report back, also sound like you may have a vacuum leak and these are known to have problems with the PCV tube elbow splitting on back side of intake.

 

Chris,

Thank you for responding. That's all definitely Greek to me, so I'll take your request, and allow my friend to explain it to me. As far as the codes go; I would have to have a mechanic do that, or is that a computer that I can purchase? Thanks!

 

You can purchase a basic code reader for under 50 bucks, here is a link :

http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan...0795933&sr=8-2

 

If you are halfway decent with computers, I bought from this person

http://www.obddiagnostics.com

It was the best $100 I ever spent on diagnostics stuff for my truck. If you don't see yourself using it that much, I would just do a free scan at Autozone or Advance Auto. Don't listen to the workers when they tell you what they "think" is wrong, 9 times out of 10, they have no clue what they are talking about, so just get the codes and then post back on the forums for help.

 

By this do you mean the engine didn't rev up at all? If so, can you rev up the engine (in neutral) by manually operating the throttle under the engine? If so, then I'd say you have a broken throttle cable.

 

Don't rev the engine too long in Neutral, you'll overheat the Tranny and get a nice leak in the driveway! You'll only make that mistake once!

 

Well I didn't mean to rev it up in the sense of "blow the pistons out of the heads."

 

Wow that good stuff. Agree Auto zone they just look code then tell what it is.


Could you remove intake hose to throttle body, try rev and look at butterfly if it actual open?

 

I know what you meant, but just clarifying for anyone else reading it. Put it in gear, and you're really asking for trouble too!