accelerator problems

Hi Folks,

My accelerator cable is sticking, which means when you take your foot off the gas, the engine keeps revving. Scared the piss out of my wife when she couldn't slow down on the highway. But instead of just turning off the engine and waiting til I came and got her, she rode the brake all the way home with the engine revving at 5K plus. So much for the recent brake job.

But my question is this: How easy is it to replace the cable? Can I just remove the old one and then snake the new cable all the way through to the pedal? And should I be able to get a new cable at any supply place? Or do I have to wait til monday when the dealership opens?

Much obliged

Orimba

Sounds like a spring might be off somewhere. Did you make sure it was actually binding by trying to rev her at the throttle body under the hood. Also have someone press the accelerator pedal while you watch and see what happens under the hood.

I've never seen a cable go bad like that on a auto, other than parking brake cable and bicycle cables but you never know I guess.

Orimba,
Is it the accelerator cable? Or is it the cruise control cable? both can bind and stick the throttle open, along with the linkage and the springs.

I have seen the center of the cables fall apart and get jammed, but it's kind of unusual, unless you're in a really bad rust out zone like New York or Chicago. Is it possible that you have a huge vacuum leak (brake booster, PCV valve) and fuel injection? That could cause a similar symptoms.

Make sure your carpet isn't caught behind the cable inside the Van too.

Good luck,

Slantsixness