Stuck Throttle (Major Problem)

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Nov 2011, 12:53

Yesterday, my car died after starting and driving on the highway, im not sure if this is linked to what happened today.
On my way home from class, I proceeded down a hill. came to a complete stop, and accelerated up the next hill. My car throttle got stuck, and rapidly jumped up to 5-7(000) RPMS. I quickly shut it off and coasted to a stop.
Got out, checked (what i could) of the throttle body, without taking off the cover.
Started - and it reved high, immediately shut it off.
tried adjusting the gas pedal, (which was already in its normal position)
Same Thing. Reved high.
Didnt touch anything, and it started up fine.
Took a bunch of backroads home. where it is now sitting in the garage.
Where do i start? any similar problems?
Kinda scared to drive my car now...
AJ

Post by **Choguy03** » 28 Nov 2011, 12:59

Well, I would check the cable and the throttle body to make sure everything is ok there. Look for broken springs and the like.

Pop the hood and find the throttle body and make sure it is completly closed/sitting on the idle control screw. Start your car and go back to the throttle body and manually move the roller to rev the engine and be sure the throttle is not getting stuck. If it is, you may need to take the throttle body off and give it a good cleaning with some carb cleaner. It could be getting stuck if it is gunked up.

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Nov 2011, 13:01

It sounds like something's sticking.

My Saab's cable used to bind up, and it would get stuck if you went past 3/4 throttle. It had about the power of a small kid on a tricycle anyway, so it wasn't that big a deal as you could override it with the brakes, but if you pushed in the clutch it would rev up way past the redline.

Make sure the throttle arm is resting against the little idle screw (remove the black cover from the top). If it isn't, remove the throttle body air hose and see what's causing it to stick - is it the throttle body, wheel/arm assembly (which may need some silicone or white lithium grease - don't use WD40), or is it the throttle cable itself sticking up?

Regardless, your throttle body could probably use a good cleaning. Hold the plate open with your fingers, stick a rag under it, and spray the heck out of the inside of the throttle body with a can of carburetor cleaner and let it run back out again.

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Nov 2011, 13:10

Looked at the throttle body, everything moves fine. theres a slight sqeak i cant seem to locate...

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Nov 2011, 13:12

Would a video help?

Post by **Choguy03** » 28 Nov 2011, 13:22

Couldn't hurt. Did you try running the car and manually revving?

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Nov 2011, 13:28

The RPMs jumped so high so fast i didnt want to risk it. Right after starting the car they were in the 6-7 range.
I don't like permanent damage..

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Nov 2011, 13:44

Is it resting against the idle screw?

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Nov 2011, 15:34

Sorry for the last tiny bit of the video, didnt turn out like i expected.

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Nov 2011, 16:33

What are the odds that the cable itself is frayed (within the cable covering) and is catching on itself?