02 - Throttle Cable sticky

**db9** · 10-10-2004, 02:14 PM

With WD40's thread about cables on the valve cover & inteller's comment about cable recall on 02's I'm wondering if the cable stick is as follows - at idle and just touch the pedal I feel a light stick and then smooth operation. The dealer has replaced a cable and the throttle body - this fixed it but within 1000km its back. One of the cables loops all the way to the Rad and back - the other only loops to the valve cover and back - has the recall been done? Anyone else have the same configuration - how to get rid of the stick ( will have it checked again when in next)

thks

**deactivated** · 10-10-2004, 03:04 PM

yes, because the original cables didn't go out across the engine at all, they were neatly tucked away, but they were too short and had to be replaced with the longer ones you have now.

**db9** · 10-10-2004, 07:21 PM

So both cables should go all the way out , not just one as I have?
Because I have the sticking again means that they didn't fix it right the first time.
Is there a TBS or recall notice that I can refer too?

TIA

**deactivated** · 10-10-2004, 07:24 PM

do a search for our TSB thread here...it might be on it, though this TSB was done mainly at the factory so you don't hear much about it.

no, both cables should not go all the way out, one will eclipse the other.

**racer1735** · 10-11-2004, 09:11 AM

I have the same problem on my '04 (have had it less than a month). I tried to solve it by putting some white lithium grease around the pedal pivot. Seems to have lessened it somewhat. Haven't done anything to the TBS end of the cables (I did do the cable-tie base mod so they don't tear up the valve cover).

**db9** · 10-19-2004, 07:34 AM

Had the car in again to another dealer for the 'stick' this morning - was told that this is normal (

)
left the dealer not ammused - however they say that they everything has been done according to what they know.
(cable and TB have been replaced) Since the 'stick' is only there when electrical system is energized - and isolating the cables and pedal out of the equation - if you move the TB by had, you can still feel the stick - could it be the thottle position sensor? - turn power off and the 'stick' goes away.
I would think that the tech would check this but who knows.
Just live with it?

TIA

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 10-20-2004, 02:44 PM

I had a similar problem on an '04 ZX3 2.3. I know, totally different powerplant but I had a little throttle stick just off idle, made the car vey hard to drive smoothly.

It turned out to be the butterfly in the throttle body was hanging up against it's housing, They replaced the throttle body and that took care of it.

**db9** · 10-20-2004, 04:19 PM

I guess it's up to me to look at it - can the butterfly be adjusted in any way to prevent it from hanging...
since Ford says they have already replaced it (by 1st dealer) and 2nd says it normal... Or replace it with a 65 (don't want to)

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 10-20-2004, 08:05 PM

I saw my new Throttle body before it was installed on my 2.3 and the lip of the butterfly that contacted the TB bore had some kind of coating of lube on it.

That second dealer is obviously staffed by idiots so stay away.

If you know anyone else who has an SVTF bring them along to show the dealer how it should be. That is one of their little tricks when trying to convince someone of a
" normal operating condition " If the customer sees that another car like theirs does the same thing they have to accept it as " normal " so it should work the other way as well.

I think they had a small run of bad TB's on the 2.3's and that was part of the fix.

To be honest, I do not plan on modifying my car at all but I have considered getting the 65mm TB just because of the improved throttle response.

I have a warranty and I do not plan on voiding it by screwing around with my car.

The TP sensor is just a rheostat it should not be able to cause any resistance.

Does it happen when the key is in the on position or only when the car is running?

I work at a dealership that uses the team system , one advisor has a set group of mechanics he works with and in our shop I only let one group touch my cars, so out of 40 techs I only trust 4.

What does that tell you?

**db9** · 10-27-2004, 06:30 PM

Took the car in to the 1st dealer today bright and early - must have woke up the tech as he said - " I've driven thousands of these and this is the same" well no - when you replaced the TB and cable - the problem went away and now its back - Finally he did adjust it. It seems that there is a little slack in the cable and the TB plate is 'sticking' to the wall.
Here's one for you.... he first tried to adjust the idle screw - loctite at the factory - so he used a pair of wire cutters and grab the screw - couldn't move it - so he used a pair of pliers and bent the tab

It fixed it but it bugs me - so much so that I took the car home and took the TB off the car - took it apart - took the plate out - cleaned up the goop on the plate and the bore (a hardened black substance) used Isopro and took the stop screw out (5mm thread) put in a socket head cap screw (20mm long) with a compression spring to keep the screw from turning - see the aftermarket TB's they are like this. Also I centred the plate in the bore by assembling and finger tighten the 2 screws holding the plate - let it self centre in the bore and now the motion is smooth

set the idle using the digital dash trick.
I plan to leave it as is for now - see how it works and tweak it a bit more if needed

**canadasvt** · 10-27-2004, 08:15 PM

Yep, my gas pedal or something has been sticking since new, but only when it's cold outside (below 4C = 48F).

**Itsmemorphious** · 10-27-2004, 10:26 PM

I'm not having any problems as of right now but out of curiosity, Which one out of a couple friends cars is the correct set up? As far as I know they haven't had any work on there cars as far as recalls, and there all 2003.

**db9** · 10-28-2004, 05:51 AM

Itsmemorphious
Mine is like the second one - long loop to the rad and second short.

CanadaSVT
Mine didn't seem to be temp sensitive. Since I do a lot of slow speed commute (coasting, foot off the gas, foot on the gas) it gets quite annoying...

**canadasvt** · 10-28-2004, 12:35 PM

Mine is like the second one too. Yes, trying to be graceful on the highway in busy traffic is quite hard. Let off the gas to coast a bit and then touch the gas, it sticks, and then a sudden jolt when it unsticks