Problem: Accelerator pedal resistance

[BC]

THE PROBLEM: Yesterday while driving I developed a new problem that I need help with. When I pushed on the accelerator pedal I felt a lot of resistance. The 3500 produced little power. When the speedometer reached 25 mph everything would return to normal (i. e. the accelerator pedal moved freely, and I had full power. ). After coming to a stop, again the accelerator pedal would be hard to press and I had no power. The 3500's speed increased very slowly to 25 mph and bammo, the power would return and the pedal moved feely again.



Next I tried forcing the pedal down. It would accelerate faster but it wasn't normal. It would hit 25 mph and all was well again.



My truck has 142,000 miles. It's been well maintained.



Is this a problem with the throttle cable? I've read a good bit about this over the years.



Thanks for any insight and help.



Bill Cook

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Bill

Mine was doing it also yesterday except it was sticking the throttle, I was going to disconnect the cruise cable and see if the problem followed then R&R the bad one.



Jim

 

[Mackie007]

There is a safety recall on the throttle cable, it could be the problem.



http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/recalls/970.htm



Good Luck

 

[illflem]

'98 has the new improved cable, no recall. Check the two bolts that attach the bell crank (part where cable ends on the pump) Sounds like one may have come out.

 

[CMNS PWR]

I had the same problem when I changed out the ball joints on the throttle arm. The arm had twisted and was rubbing against the pump. I straightned it up (tightened up the nuts to keep it from moving) and its been fine eversince. Just one other thing you may want to check...

 

[BC]

Dang, it was too cold to work on the truck today. Heck, this is Georgia and it's March, enough of the cold stuff.



Anyway, I drove the truck tonight. Same problem exists.



Now there's an additional problem. I could not get the exhaust brake to turn on. Normally when I flick the switch to turn the exhaust on, the rpms drop and there is a noticable difference in engine sound. The exhaust brake was working yesterday, it is one of the things I trouble shot.



Any ideas?



Bill Cook

 

[illflem]

Water in the e brake vacuum control line turned to ice?

 

[Deezul1]

I bet its a frayed cable and its not letting the throttle back to a full idle so the E Brake wont come on

 

[BC]

Thanks y'all, lots of good advice. I'll look for the problem today. I'll start with the bell housing and go from there.



Bill Cook

 

[BC]

Deezul,



You were right on target. The exhaust brake wasn't working because the accelerator pedal was sticking. Because the pedal wouldn't release fully after I removed my foot, the e-brake wouldn't work. Today I put my foot under the pedal and pulled it outward. The e-brake worked fine.



Without a doubt my problem is with the throttle linkage.



Again, when it warms up outside I'll work on it.



Bill Cook

 

[Deezul1]

Glad it helped, Good luck with it