Notchy Accelerator Fixed

[husker boxster]

I've always felt my accelerator was a bit notchy or sticky. Have run Techron through it a time or two without really fixing the problem. Since I have EGAS, I knew it couldn't be a sticky cable. Took the throttle body off today and the flap had a nice ring of sticky crud all the way around it. Cleaned it off with some carb cleaner, let it dry, and replaced it.

While I was in the neighborhood, I checked the MAF sensor. With all the talk of K&N oil gunking up the MAF, thought I better check it (put a K&N filter in over a yr ago). Clean as a whistle. Shot it with the MAF spay I bought anyway and put it back.

Problem solved. The notchy feeling is gone. Nothing but smooooth sailing.

[kenkamm]

Well that's something. Two facts you might find interesting:

1) E-gas still has a cable. It goes from the pedal to the pedal position sensor.

2) If the throttle plate was sticking, you would not feel it at the pedal. When you move the pedal, you are simply actuating a potentiometer which reads the position, then that information is passed to a servo (a geared electric motor) which actuates the throttle plate.

So, unfortunately, your cleaning of the throttle body could not possibly have had any effect on your sticky pedal.

Mine sticks too, but only on hotter days. Perhaps your car was cooler the second time you tested it. On my car, it's actually the pedal position sensor that sticks, which is a sealed unit with the pedal return spring inside. At first I thought perhaps the cable was the culprit, but when I reach up under the dash and actuate the sensor with my hand, I can feel that it is actually the sensor unit itself that's a bit sticky.

Cheers.

[markab986]

FWIW,

I don't have access to the materials within the throttle body, which means I cannot validate my response...

It's probably not a good idea to use a "generic" carb cleaner on the throttle body.

A "solvent" that is approved for throttle bodies to clean gum, varnish, residue, etc off would be better advised.

I only mention this because I used carb cleaner on a domestic vehicle's TB and ended up with a rolling, rough idle due to the nylon bushings inserted on the shaft being "burnt" out from the cleaner.

If you are aware of this, or used an "approved" cleaner, then perhaps this might "enlighten" those that did not know. If someone knows the correct answer, or procedure...please share. I had problems, YMMV.