It's not an issue at normal highway speeds, it's just an annoyance at sustained low speed, something I'm not very good at anyhow.
Sticky Gas Pedal
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tonyfromjersey
Sticky Gas Pedal
I have an oddball issue with my gas pedal. It seems to "stick" at the top of its travel. This has become a minor annoyance as I am on vacation at the Jersey Shore and the speed limit is 25 everywhere. The beginning of the travel sticks a bit and makes it a challenge to go that slow, i.e. just above idle in 3rd gear. I have to be honest, being on vacation I haven't really bothered to look into it much. I'm hoping either it's something I can do easy with the basic tools I have with me, or better yet ignore it until I get home this weekend.
It's not an issue at normal highway speeds, it's just an annoyance at sustained low speed, something I'm not very good at anyhow.
It's not an issue at normal highway speeds, it's just an annoyance at sustained low speed, something I'm not very good at anyhow.
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manoa matt
- Posts: 3442
- Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
- Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
Make sure all the linkages and cable are well lubricated. Also make sure there are no wires or hoses in the engine near the linkage that could get caught between it causing it to not return to the full rest position.
Check to see if you have a manual throttle pull cable. (old time cruse control) It will be on the left side of the steering column mounted under the dash. If that cable is kinked or not properly fastened at each end it could cause the pedal to stick open. It might be best to remove it, as it is rarely if ever used, and can create the aforementioned problems.
The white plastic pedal mounts for the pedal pivot rod can sometimes become cocked and bind the pedal from rotating, make sure they are lubricated and prependicular to the pedal rod.
There should be two return springs, one on the carb linkage, and one on the pedal. The one on the pedal is often missing. You can use a spring from the hardware store.
A sticking gas pedal is not a minor annoyance, its a major danger.
Check to see if you have a manual throttle pull cable. (old time cruse control) It will be on the left side of the steering column mounted under the dash. If that cable is kinked or not properly fastened at each end it could cause the pedal to stick open. It might be best to remove it, as it is rarely if ever used, and can create the aforementioned problems.
The white plastic pedal mounts for the pedal pivot rod can sometimes become cocked and bind the pedal from rotating, make sure they are lubricated and prependicular to the pedal rod.
There should be two return springs, one on the carb linkage, and one on the pedal. The one on the pedal is often missing. You can use a spring from the hardware store.
A sticking gas pedal is not a minor annoyance, its a major danger.
Last edited by manoa matt on Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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azygoustoyou
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
Tony,
We all know how you really love to FLY! Or, did you try taking the gum off your shoe?
You know, now that the car has been painted. They say there would be less resistance resulting in faster acceleration
We all know how you really love to FLY! Or, did you try taking the gum off your shoe?
You know, now that the car has been painted. They say there would be less resistance resulting in faster acceleration
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digitech
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:37 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
Usually the first sign of a bad accelerator cable.
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mbouse
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
yup.... betcha lunch the plastic sheath for the accel cable is nicked somewhere and moisture is getting in.
a quick replacement cable project is in order.
a quick replacement cable project is in order.
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tonyfromjersey
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
Sounds easy enough, I'll order the cable. I assume that it's moisture since it's gotten worse since I am down the shore, where it's incredibly humid and salty air. Is this a difficult project?
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mbouse
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
very easy. in the mean time, you could attempt to salvage the existing cable:
1. remove cable
2. hold cable vertical
3. pour rust eating lubricant down the inside of the sheath
4. push & pull the cable to each extreme
5. repeat from step #2 until gobs of rusty gunk falling out the sheath has turned to the color of the incoming lubricant
tedious, but cost effective if you have the time.
1. remove cable
2. hold cable vertical
3. pour rust eating lubricant down the inside of the sheath
4. push & pull the cable to each extreme
5. repeat from step #2 until gobs of rusty gunk falling out the sheath has turned to the color of the incoming lubricant
tedious, but cost effective if you have the time.
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tonyfromjersey
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
I might give that a try. I ordered the cable from IAP, I'm sure it will get here early next week. I may use that procedure in order to have a spare once I put the new one in. I'm developing quite the parts bin in my garage.
spare parts? -
digitech
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:37 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider
Re: Sticky Gas Pedal
Always a good idea! After you install the new one, remove the old cable from the sheath, thoroughly clean it with the rust prev. oil Mike describes and then give it a good thick coat of anti-seize,working it into the cable, then re-install it into the sheath. A spare as good as new!