Problem with the accelerator

[Ramvenger]

My 96 Avenger is in trouble!!!
It's had a mil light on for ages now and now it won't accelerate correctly.
Here's the deal:
The accelerator pedal is seemingly stuck and it won't accelerate at a normal pace it will either idle or go to wide open throttle or just about.
I took an automotive course and my instructor told me it might be the catalytic converter that's causing the problem but I was wondering if there was any other suggestions and if it is the cat would some one give me a price range of he cost as well as the danger?

[cardboardpimp420]

if the cat is clogged it will cause your acceleration to dramatically decrease but it wouldnt cause the accelerator to stick...if it is the cat there is a dirt cheap way to fix the problem if you dont have to do emmisions test...get yourself a sawzall, a broom stick and a hammer plus all needed to fix the pipe

cut off the exhaust after the cat and stick the broom stick into the cat, beat it in with the hammer and wiggle it around. start it up to blow all the crap out, which is why i say broom stick and not just a stick because now you have a mess to clean up. dont let it keep running because it will get HOT. put pipe back together, problem solved


but once again, thats only if you dont have emmisions tests

[growe58]

Originally Posted by Ramvenger

The accelerator pedal is seemingly stuck and it won't accelerate at a normal pace it will either idle or go to wide open throttle or just about.
I took an automotive course and my instructor told me it might be the catalytic converter that's causing the problem but I was wondering if there was any other suggestions and if it is the cat would some one give me a price range of he cost as well as the danger?

What do you mean "accelerator pedal is seemingly stuck"? Is it literally sticking or does it just feel like it's sticking because the engine is unresponsive?

If you suspect the cat, there are a number of ways to test it. A vacuum gauge is one. Another is to simply drop the exhaust pipe at the manifold (or remove the O2 sensor) and see if the situation improves.

It would be a good idea to have that CEL checked out. Autozone will do it for free. That might give you some more clues on whazzup...

Do you have the 4 or V6?

[Ramvenger]

V6 Es

[rhandwor]

I would start checking the throttle. Move it by hand to check if it is sticking.
You may need a new one, sometimes they can be lubricated. Verify this first before spending money and time on something which may not be defective.

[Ramvenger]

Thanks for all the help I got it fixed and it turned out to be the throttle cable (huh).