Gas pedal sticking

[darrylb]

I have a 2000 LeSabre and everytime you start the car and then push the gas pedal down it's hard to push, then it will break free and work normally for the rest of the drive, but the next time you get in to go somewhere else, it will do the same thing. If you "POP IT" real quick with your foot it will work just fine until the next time. Is this a cable issue?

Thanks!

[Rasp]

sounds like you might have a spot of rust or corrosion. In the engine compartment there is a cable that you can inspect (not sure of the exact location). This cable might need a little lubricant to work more smoothly.

I would just spray wd40 on it until it works itself out. You may need someone else to work the petal while you do this.

[Luke.]

Fm Darrylb
then push the gas pedal down it's hard to push, then it will break free and work normally for the rest of the drive,

I believe that you'll find that the throttle body 'plate' is sticking.
Depending on the mileage on the car, there could be a slight buildup of carbon/oil settling on the outer rim of the throttle plate, thus the sticking.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Luke.

I believe that you'll find that the throttle body 'plate' is sticking.
Depending on the mileage on the car, there could be a slight buildup of carbon/oil settling on the outer rim of the throttle plate, thus the sticking.

Good suggestion and I agree. Nothing some good carb or throttle body cleaner won't take care of. Of course, best thing to do is remove the throttle body to get to the butterfly plate and flange.

Here is a shot of one after 5 years or so without cleaning.


SII 3800 Hitachi Throttle Body

[darrylb]

Thanks for the suggestions.

What I found was that the mechanisim that the gas pedal and cruise cable attach to (shown on the left side of the throttle body in bnaylor's post) was traveling back just a bit to far and then a part of the linkage was to straight to move smoothly. There is an adjusting screw on the back side, so I screwed it in just a little and thus the mechanisim doesn't return quite as far and the angle of the linkage changed just enough that when the cable is pulled it doesn't have to push through the straight (hard) portion before it works properly.

[JConnell]

darrylb's suggestion worked for my 2005 Buick LeSabre. It was a very simple fix. The first item is to rotate the oil filler tube to the left and remove it. You can then remove the shroud from on top of the engine. Try to rotate the throttle cam (it has 2 cables attached to it.) If it offers some resistance, then pops free, that indicates the cam is a tad over center. Loosen the lock nut and turn set screw in about 1/4 turn or so. The cam should now rotate without the initial resistance. Tighten the lock nut while holding the set screw in position. Replace the engine shroud and the oil filler tube. Thank Darryl B for his advice!

[Tech II]

Just a side note.....the sticking throttle body can be caused by crud where the throttle plate "mates" with the bore......sometimes cleaning does not help, because the problem is the pivoting point of the plate in the throttle body, in severe cases, the throttle body has to be replaced.....

By adjusting the opening, you are changing the base limit of the TPS sensor, so instead of reading zero %, the PCM is reading a % above zero, making the PCM think your foot is on the gas pedal, raising base rpms....this can lead to hard shifts into gear, if adjusted too much, and possible TPS codes....