Sticky Throttle - Focaljet

**TwoZ-B** · 11-27-2001, 10:35 AM

Is it safe to use WD-40 on the spring assembly of the stock throttle body? I have a sticky gas pedal. When I go to press down on the gas, I don't get a smooth and uniform motion.. Instead, I have to use a little bit more force to overcome the initial "stick" -- from then on, it is very smooth.

I've been dealing with it for awhile now, but I think now its time to fix it. I checked the pedal assembly and its not that because i pulled on the throttle cable manually and it did the same thing (high initial force to overcome the "stick" and ok after that).

The only thing i can think of is the spring on the throttle body... is it ok for me to use WD-40 on that spring? Or should i use some other lubricant?

Thanks in advance.
Brian

**corey_dyck** · 11-27-2001, 10:54 AM

Sorry, I'm not sure if WD-40 would be good or not. But, you could try to track the problem down further by trying to rotate the throttle by hand in the engine bay. Leave the car off and try to rotate it. If it doesn't stick, it's the cable. If it does stick, it's the throttle itself.

Then you'll know what to fix and how to fix it.

[img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

**TCR Motorsports** · 11-27-2001, 01:05 PM

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TwoZ-B:
Is it safe to use WD-40 on the spring assembly of the stock throttle body? I have a sticky gas pedal. When I go to press down on the gas, I don't get a smooth and uniform motion.. Instead, I have to use a little bit more force to overcome the initial "stick" -- from then on, it is very smooth.

I've been dealing with it for awhile now, but I think now its time to fix it. I checked the pedal assembly and its not that because i pulled on the throttle cable manually and it did the same thing (high initial force to overcome the "stick" and ok after that).

The only thing i can think of is the spring on the throttle body... is it ok for me to use WD-40 on that spring? Or should i use some other lubricant?

Thanks in advance.
Brian<hr></blockquote>

Two Z-B,
Take the car in to the dealer and have the accelerator cable replaced. I had the same problem and within a couple of weeks the throttle cable broke. Once it breaks you go no where. And beleive it or not they tried to blame the breakage on me. Like I really wanted to be broke down on the side of the road and have to wait for a tow truck for an hour and 45 minutes. So take it in and have them replace it as soon as possible.

**nilo** · 11-27-2001, 03:31 PM

I have this problem with my accel pedal as well.. But it only happens when its cold out ususally winter.. I have taken my car at least 4 times at 2 different dealers and they could not find the problem.. I'm really frustrated with this because it's an irritating pedal feel.

**Y2KOrange** · 11-27-2001, 09:38 PM

You may want to take off the intake duct and check the edge of the throttle plate. It builds up with a sticky residue from the egr valve dumping into the intake manifold. Pull the throttle open and if the plate is brown on the edge,that's your problem.You need to clean the plate and the inside of the throttle bore. I squirt some gumout carb cleaner on a rag and rub vigorously. I've done it about every 5,000 miles since the car had 15K on it,has 47k now.
Had taken it to dealer for problem, they didn't do ****e. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

**TwoZ-B** · 11-28-2001, 08:15 AM

Y2KOrange-
I will have to check that out since I've narrowed it down to something with the TB assembly itself.

I've taken off the throttle cable and tested it to see if it was snagging on something -- Not it.

I've visually inspected the spring to see if there were any places it could bind -- Not it.

I'll try your solution when I get my Iceman.

Thanks!!

**drivefaster** · 11-29-2001, 08:50 PM

Better than WD-40 for the sticky throttle is white lithium grease. Mine was sticking especially when cold, but hitting it with some lithium grease four or five times a year seems to keep everything working smoothly.

**drivefaster** · 11-29-2001, 08:55 PM

I squirt some gumout carb cleaner on a rag and rub vigorously. I've done it about every 5,000 miles since the car had 15K on it,has 47k now.
Had taken it to dealer for problem, they didn't do ****e.

I'm sure I read this, but don't remember if it was the service CD or owner's manual. The throttle plate has a special coating that can be damaged by carb and choke cleaners. There was a warning to never use them on the throttle plate. If anyone can verify this, please refresh my failing memory.

MC · 04-09-2002, 08:46 AM

bumping this up because I have the same problem.

It's not the pedal sticking, it's not the srping on the throttle body, so......

As Y2KOrange suggested, I pulled the intake tube to the throttle body and took a look. yukky buildup crap on the throttle plate on the edge closest to the firewall. I didn't have any cleamer of any type, so I just rubbed off as much as I could with a paper towel and my fingers ( inside the TB where that edge of the plate moves as well ).

We'll see how it acts cold in the morning since that when it usually did it, but I'd be willing to bet it doesn't stick anymore.

**QuickSilverZX3** · 04-09-2002, 09:45 AM

I had the same problem . The dealership replaced the cable and everything turned out fine .. have the dealership check the cable out...

MC · 04-09-2002, 01:59 PM

Seems to be all better after cleaning the TB.

quicksilver - I forgot to mention before that the cable moves freely, so I had eliminated that before cleaning the TB as well.

11-27-2001, 10:35 AM	#1
TwoZ-B TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Manalapan, NJ, USA Posts: 107	Sticky Throttle Is it safe to use WD-40 on the spring assembly of the stock throttle body? I have a sticky gas pedal. When I go to press down on the gas, I don't get a smooth and uniform motion.. Instead, I have to use a little bit more force to overcome the initial "stick" -- from then on, it is very smooth. I've been dealing with it for awhile now, but I think now its time to fix it. I checked the pedal assembly and its not that because i pulled on the throttle cable manually and it did the same thing (high initial force to overcome the "stick" and ok after that). The only thing i can think of is the spring on the throttle body... is it ok for me to use WD-40 on that spring? Or should i use some other lubricant? Thanks in advance. Brian

11-27-2001, 10:54 AM	#2
corey_dyck Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,054	Re: Sticky Throttle Sorry, I'm not sure if WD-40 would be good or not. But, you could try to track the problem down further by trying to rotate the throttle by hand in the engine bay. Leave the car off and try to rotate it. If it doesn't stick, it's the cable. If it does stick, it's the throttle itself. Then you'll know what to fix and how to fix it. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

11-27-2001, 01:05 PM	#3
TCR Motorsports Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Minot,ND USA Posts: 1,056	Re: Sticky Throttle <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TwoZ-B: Is it safe to use WD-40 on the spring assembly of the stock throttle body? I have a sticky gas pedal. When I go to press down on the gas, I don't get a smooth and uniform motion.. Instead, I have to use a little bit more force to overcome the initial "stick" -- from then on, it is very smooth. I've been dealing with it for awhile now, but I think now its time to fix it. I checked the pedal assembly and its not that because i pulled on the throttle cable manually and it did the same thing (high initial force to overcome the "stick" and ok after that). The only thing i can think of is the spring on the throttle body... is it ok for me to use WD-40 on that spring? Or should i use some other lubricant? Thanks in advance. Brian<hr></blockquote> Two Z-B, Take the car in to the dealer and have the accelerator cable replaced. I had the same problem and within a couple of weeks the throttle cable broke. Once it breaks you go no where. And beleive it or not they tried to blame the breakage on me. Like I really wanted to be broke down on the side of the road and have to wait for a tow truck for an hour and 45 minutes. So take it in and have them replace it as soon as possible.

11-27-2001, 03:31 PM	#4
nilo TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Troylet , NY, US Posts: 804	Re: Sticky Throttle I have this problem with my accel pedal as well.. But it only happens when its cold out ususally winter.. I have taken my car at least 4 times at 2 different dealers and they could not find the problem.. I'm really frustrated with this because it's an irritating pedal feel.

11-27-2001, 09:38 PM	#5
Y2KOrange Rookie Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Woodbourne, NY 12788 Posts: 7	Re: Sticky Throttle You may want to take off the intake duct and check the edge of the throttle plate. It builds up with a sticky residue from the egr valve dumping into the intake manifold. Pull the throttle open and if the plate is brown on the edge,that's your problem.You need to clean the plate and the inside of the throttle bore. I squirt some gumout carb cleaner on a rag and rub vigorously. I've done it about every 5,000 miles since the car had 15K on it,has 47k now. Had taken it to dealer for problem, they didn't do ****e. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

11-28-2001, 08:15 AM	#6
TwoZ-B TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Manalapan, NJ, USA Posts: 107	Re: Sticky Throttle Y2KOrange- I will have to check that out since I've narrowed it down to something with the TB assembly itself. I've taken off the throttle cable and tested it to see if it was snagging on something -- Not it. I've visually inspected the spring to see if there were any places it could bind -- Not it. I'll try your solution when I get my Iceman. Thanks!!

11-29-2001, 08:50 PM	#7
drivefaster TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Jeannette,PA,USA Posts: 870	Re: Sticky Throttle Better than WD-40 for the sticky throttle is white lithium grease. Mine was sticking especially when cold, but hitting it with some lithium grease four or five times a year seems to keep everything working smoothly.

11-29-2001, 08:55 PM	#8
drivefaster TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Jeannette,PA,USA Posts: 870	Re: Sticky Throttle I squirt some gumout carb cleaner on a rag and rub vigorously. I've done it about every 5,000 miles since the car had 15K on it,has 47k now. Had taken it to dealer for problem, they didn't do ****e. I'm sure I read this, but don't remember if it was the service CD or owner's manual. The throttle plate has a special coating that can be damaged by carb and choke cleaners. There was a warning to never use them on the throttle plate. If anyone can verify this, please refresh my failing memory.

04-09-2002, 08:46 AM	#9
MC TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Oak Ridge, NC Posts: 546	Re: Sticky Throttle bumping this up because I have the same problem. It's not the pedal sticking, it's not the srping on the throttle body, so...... As Y2KOrange suggested, I pulled the intake tube to the throttle body and took a look. yukky buildup crap on the throttle plate on the edge closest to the firewall. I didn't have any cleamer of any type, so I just rubbed off as much as I could with a paper towel and my fingers ( inside the TB where that edge of the plate moves as well ). We'll see how it acts cold in the morning since that when it usually did it, but I'd be willing to bet it doesn't stick anymore.

04-09-2002, 09:45 AM	#10
QuickSilverZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Indianapolis , Indiana Posts: 134	Re: Sticky Throttle I had the same problem . The dealership replaced the cable and everything turned out fine .. have the dealership check the cable out...

04-09-2002, 01:59 PM	#11
MC TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Oak Ridge, NC Posts: 546	Re: Sticky Throttle Seems to be all better after cleaning the TB. quicksilver - I forgot to mention before that the cable moves freely, so I had eliminated that before cleaning the TB as well.

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