Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12 Valve throttle linkage advice needed

[VicR]

A strange, intermittant problem has appeared, and I'm not sure where to look. Occasionally, when accelerating (from either a stop or while rolling), the foot feed will 'stick' after moving about 1/4 - 1/2 inch from the at-rest position. The thing is, its not like its binding exactly, it gets more of a rubbery feeling like its got a whole lot of resistance all of a sudden. If you try to overcome the resistance, you can force the pedal down, but it doesn't seem accelerate. After a few seconds, it releases and drives like normal.



I WD-40'd all of the pivot points in the linkage I could find, but I really don't think that was the problem. When I move the linkage by hand, it moves free for a slight bit, then hits a little hump that requires more force to get over. I thinking that might be the same resistance point, but I'm not really sure what all is happening at that point in the linkage.



Any suggestions where to look first?



Thanks,



-Vic

 

[Joe G.]

I think you are feeling the break over point. That point will move up as RPM increases.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Check with your Dodge dealer. There was a safety recall on the throttle cable for 12 valve trucks. Mine was replaced for free (recall) on my '98. Why pay if you don't have to. -Glen

 

[CMckee]

your probably feeling the cam in the fuel pump. mine would do the same if you held the petal down and ket it shift through the gears you could actually feel the pedal push back against your foot. this is how they limit the fuel to rpm's and limit the hp. after i installed the #8 plate kit from tst it doesn't do that anymore,the pedal stays on the floor and the power just rolls on!

 

[Extreme1]

A couple things. I'd use oil, not WD. WD isn't much of a lube and these linkages need a good lube like oil. Disassembling (pop the rod off) and cleaning is a good first step.



If you do that and it's still sticky, it could be the throttle lever hitting the cam plate. Piers has an adjustment proceedure here. Try this and let us know if it's any better.



Tanke a good look at your cable while your under the hood, it could be frayed and hanging up.

 

[SSkinner]

I agree with Extreme1 check throttle cable at bell crank assembly for fraying. The resistances your feeling while trying to move throttle linkage with the engine not running is the govenor weights. This is my understanding

of where the resistances is coming from. The resistance is gone when the engine is running. I have tryed it and it has held true. If you try to do this with the engine running it should move more freely. If it it doesn't you have other issues.

 

[VicR]

Thanks - supposed to be a little warmer this weekend so I'm going to try lubing the linkage and if that doesn't work, try the Piers adjustment instructions. If I am reading the description correctly, it does look like it has the updated linkage.



Thanks again,



-Vic