Sticky Accelerator Pedal on 96 SL2

I have a 1996 SL2 that has a sticky gas pedal. It's not a huge problem, but
it is very annoying since acceleration from a stop or a very low speed
requires putting additional force on the accelerator pedal until it pops out
of it's sticking position causing a nice jolt for everyone on board. I
don't mind so much but passengers sometimes give me the "drive much?" look.

When the car was under warranty the dealership would fix the problem for
free fairly quickly. They said they cleaned the EGR valve. Now it will
cost me $50.00 each time. The problem is re-occuring and has to be done
every 6-12 months.

Has anyone had similar problems or know how to resolve it?

 

They said they cleaned the EGR valve. Now it will

Sounds more like the throttle body plate sticking in the housing. Remove the
air inlet from the throttle body housing, spray some throttle body/carburator
cleaner in and all around the butterfly plate. My '92 has never had this
problem, but other cars I have owned would need a cleaning about once a year.

James

 

Open the hood, and manually push on the the plastic wheel that
thethrottle cable goes on, to simulate the cable pulling it open.
You'll probbably FEEL it being sticky. If so:

1) Replace the PCV valve (it's easy, and only $3 to get a new one).
2) Go to a parts store and get a new throttle body to intake manifold
gasket, and a few cans of throttle body cleaner (2 or 3). Get the
throttle body stuff, not the cheaper carb stuff - TB cleaner really DOES
work better.

I'm going by my '93 SC2, which is a 2 hamster motor, but I think by 96
the one hamster motor had MFI too, so it's probbably really close.

3) Remove the air duct, then unplug the two connectors to the throttle
body, and the gas pedal cable. The last is easier than it looks - hold
the cable so the gas pedal doesn't flop in when you open the throttle
totally by hand - then take the cable, pull it so it's aiming down, and
pull outward toward the cam cover - you'll see what I mean when you look
at it. Oh yes, disconnect the three air hoses on top by popping off the
clip and lifting them up - don't lose the clip or rubber block!

4) There's 2 10 mm bolts holding it on. Take them off - I like to
clean/lube the bolts and holes while I'm there.

5) The throttle body will come off, too. Take the old gasket out. If
you're a cheapskate like me, you can reuse it if you're careful.

6) Don't start spraying just yet. Instead, take out your Torx drivers
and remove the IAC and TPS sensors - the screws are different sizes,
BTW. I forget what size they are, but like T-20 or smaller.

7) Now, with those sensors out, start spraying away! Get all the
passeages and crevices and all. You'll find that prior to this, your
throttle boddy was 'sticky' when you moved things by hand.

8) Stop cleaning when it looks brand new. It'll look brand new when
you're done, trust me.

9) With all the loose liquid blotted away and clean and dry, try working
it. Not sticking anymore, right?

10) The manual says not to, but if you take off the IAC O-ring and spray
carefull around the pintle, you can clean it off.

11) Re-install the two sensors. They go on more or less the way you
found them - nothing critical on the alignment.

12) Look in the intake manifold. Ewww yucky!

13) Re install the TB, cables, and all, but don't put the duct on just
yet.

14) Start the car, let it idle, then follow the can's directions for
cleaning the TB with the car running - this'll clear out your intake a
bit.

15) Put the duct back and all that.

When you remove the gas pedal cable, you'll note it's amazingly free
moving. If not, just lube it up - it should move effortlessly and
smoothly.

EGR valve? They blame everything on that these days, don't they?

What's happening, as you probbably noticed, is a lot of junk has 'built
up' and made the throttle body mechanically sticky. Now that it's
clean, check it every few months and give it just a spraying with the
engine on, per can instructions, to help it stay clean. But a new PCV
valve should at least theoretically help keep the junk from blowing like
crazy (and you probbably needed one anyway).

And of course, the standard disclaimers about the gas pedal and floor
mats, etc apply here - check the obvious first.

 

Good advice.

Removing the throttle body and giving it a thorough cleaning works wonders.

A few more thoughts:

1) Get a replacement throttle body gasket each time you do this.
2) Use an old tooth brush to help scrub stuff clean.
3) If you want to minimize the sticking, you can do the following: After
the throttle body is clean, adjust the "idle speed" screw so that a fully
closed throttle body rests on the screw and NOT on the closed butterfly
valve within the throttle body.