Stuck Accelerator

[dime_drop]

Just took my 2003 Nissan Xterra, 5 spd, with 26k to the dealer to have them look at a sticking gas pedal. When pressing the pedal it would stick, then suddenly release making it very difficult to drive a manual smooth, not to mention dangerous. The dealer told me it was a sticking throttle body caused by carbon buildup, $100 to clean, not covered under warranty because it is a 'maintence' issue and nothing was 'broken'. I said 'BS' and told them maintenance is changing the oil, brakes, tirers etc...not cleaning the throttle body every 26k, especially when under warranty. So far Nissan is not budging on the cost and told me they have no other reportso of this problem.

Anyone had anything similar happen with their Xterra?

[OffroadX]

Not unheard of on any engine, but not common either. Definitely not a warranty issue, that's for sure. Either you use bad gas, or you have other maintenence issues that have contributed to buildup (EGR valve, PCV valve, etc.)

You can clean the throttle body yourself, just get some 02-sensor-safe intake cleaner, disconnect the rubber tube ahead of the throttle plate, open the throttle manually (engine not running) and spray it down (don't spray too much) and let it sit a while. Start the engine, spray a few more short bursts while you manually operate the throttle (blip it, don't try to rev it much over idle) and then shut it down and put the intake hose back on.

Brent

[hunkerdownray]

Originally Posted by dime_drop

Just took my 2003 Nissan Xterra, 5 spd, with 26k to the dealer to have them look at a sticking gas pedal. When pressing the pedal it would stick, then suddenly release making it very difficult to drive a manual smooth, not to mention dangerous. The dealer told me it was a sticking throttle body caused by carbon buildup, $100 to clean, not covered under warranty because it is a 'maintence' issue and nothing was 'broken'. I said 'BS' and told them maintenance is changing the oil, brakes, tirers etc...not cleaning the throttle body every 26k, especially when under warranty. So far Nissan is not budging on the cost and told me they have no other reportso of this problem.

Anyone had anything similar happen with their Xterra?

Yes, my 2000 Pathfinder does the same thing-What did you do about it?

[PotIsYourFriend]

Originally Posted by hunkerdownray

Yes, my 2000 Pathfinder does the same thing-What did you do about it?

Did you not read what you quoted?

[bigsis30]

I think my 2003 xterra is having the same problem. Mine's an automatic so it's not to bad, but I feel like I'm lurching all over in stop & go traffic. I am going to take it in this week and see what they have to say.

[bigsis30]

I took my X to the dealer today. They told me that my problem is a dirty accelerator plate. Apparently this was something they offered to clean at my 30K service and I declined. They will clean it for $77. I spent almost $400 on the 30K service and I'm sure I didn't need half the stuff I paid for, I feel pretty stupid now.

[wardokyle]

I sprayed the intake this weekend, now when I start the car it revs up to about 2000 rpm and then very slowly idle's back to 1500. It will stay between 1500 and 1000 RPM, even after driving it for a few miles and the car is warm.

Any ideas on what happened or what can be done to fix it?

It is a 98 Pathfinder.

[OffroadX]

How did you spray the intake, and from where? You could have a vacuum leak from not fully re-connecting something.

[wardokyle]

I removed the intake air "hose" and first sprayed the part before the throttle valve. I didn't purposly remove any hoses, just loosened up the clips to the air filter and the screw that holds it to the throttle body.

After that I opened the valve and sprayed the inside a bit. I will double check to see if there are any missing vaccum connections. Good idea.

Thanks.

[OffroadX]

You might have also cracked the main hose itself while working with it.