Throttle Sticking Open - Cable Routing

[Nifty]

Well, it had to happen didn't it.

Three days into ownership, take my friend out for a spin, all's going well, not thrashing the engine until I change the cambelt.

Pootle all the way to Diss, turn round, pootling back and then decided on the straight that I just had to overtake the car in front. Dropped it down a cog and gave her a little more throttle and we're passed. Lift off to pull back in and the car just wants to keep going. Knock it out of gear and brake and of course engine revs soar to the heavens so kill the ignition and slowly pull over to the verge with hazards on and overtaken car now being held up by yours truly !!

We determined that the throttle cable seemed to be sticking, though we also thought the throttle spindles appeared a little stiff.

Are either of these known/common issues?

I intend to replace the throttle cable anyway.

Looking at this post from LEW Technical Pages it is not a difficult job.

However, I notice that the cable is routed differently to mine.

Mine comes into the engine bay and goes round the front of the engine and the casing attaches to the cam cover notch with the inner cable then attaching to the throttle linkage, so the cable actuates the linkage.

The pictures in the above link suggest that the cable attaches to the cam cover notch and it is the outer casing moving relative to the static cable that operates the throttle linkage.

Can someone clarify this for me please?

When the throttle jammed the pedal obviously didn't return.

Is there a return spring on the pedal?

If so, can it be given more spring?

If not can one be readily fitted .. i.e. has someone done this?

Cheers,

Nifty.

[Tony K]

Nifty --

On my blue car the throttle cable goes around the cool side of the engine and the cable housing operates the throttle. I'm not too crazy about that. Sometimes the car idles at 1500rpm, and I wonder if the cable is not returning all the way. Sooner or later, I will convert it to be like the red car. . .

On my red car, the throttle cable goes around the hot side of the engine along the frame, up over the center of the cam housings, and attaches to the top center cam cover bolt, then cable pulls the throttle linkage. 8-9 years like this and zero problems. I prefer this setup.

On my white car, the cable goes up over the cam belt and then does like the red car. Choke does, too. I don't like this one bit. Too close to the timing belt. I will be converting it to be like on the red car. I once read somewhere that early S1s had the cable go up over the timing belt, and they came to their senses after a couple hundred cars . . .

For what it's worth.

Cheers,

Tony

[andydclements]

My red 1984 S3 is the same as yours, outer sheath anchored at cam cover, cable attached to linkage.

If you want to physically look at the routing, your welcome to pop to mine (26 miles) and look at it (I'll be away for a few days but back Friday).

Andy

[USAndretti42]

My S2's cable comes up under the carbs and the outer operates the throttle while the inner is clamped at the cam cover. I did think of re-routing it so the outer was held at the cam cover and the inner went to the throttle lever but this looked like it was putting too many tight bends in the cable run which might lead to it sticking.

My pedal has a spring at the top but it's only light.

[Nifty]

Thanks for all the replies chaps.

Thanks for the offer of having a look too Andy.

Think I'm happy with the fact that others' cars are routed the same as mine, which in my mind is better - cables are designed for the inner to do the work whilst the outer is clamped.

[Paul Coleman]

The pedal box on my S1 has a very weak return spring on the throttle pedal.

Paul.

[bigsi]

right, my old throttle cable has decided to jam up on me and gives me abut 3cm of throttle push on the pedal now then it sticks where it is.

now i have got one coming but... how the bloody ell do i replace the thing?

i need to do this before gaydon mind, otherwise all i can think of is taking this one off, stripping it down, cleaning and lubricating the whole thing and re-installing it until my new one turns up.

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Simon you were told that the throttle cable needed changing asap. For one thing the extra spring on the carb linkage may well bend the arms, especialy if it is sticking further. Changing it is a simple job of disconecting the carb end and pulling through the inner cable. Then feeding the new outer cable back through the bulkhead and then putting the inner cable back on. Easy peasy

[bigsi]

i know i was told but didnt expect it to get so bad so soon..

as i dont know when my replacement will be here i need to do something in the meantime, i thought about taking this one out, removing the inner wire, spraying a ton of wd40 into the sheath and refitting the wire back in that way it will lubricate for a while until it gets here.

just nticed theres no route diagram or info in the manuals on this, like a how to or setting the cable end etc..

Edited June 10, 2007 by bigsi

[matk]

Topics merged as similiar subjects

[Nifty]

Out of interest, why are you advocating changing only the inner or outer and not the whole thing ?

Surely, if there is a problem it could affect both parts and so it would be wise to change both parts ??

[bigsi]

i have a complete cable assy coming to me but it may not be here and in for gaydon this weekend so in the meantime to help things the inner of the sheath that the wire runs through will be lubed with oil so it slips in there better and doesnt have any friction, an easy temp fix that will do until the new one arrives and the whole thing is replaced.

[dodgy]

my new throttle cable arrived today along with the clutch parts. its now on the car - took about 1.5 hours ( dont think it should have took that long , but the outer cable was covered in carpet glue)

as Troy said, its easy peasy

right, now for the gearbox

[Simon350S]

my new throttle cable arrived today along with the clutch parts. its now on the car - took about 1.5 hours ( dont think it should have took that long , but the outer cable was covered in carpet glue)

as Troy said, its easy peasy

right, now for the gearbox

Hey dude....

In Wolverhampton Thursday with work..... do you need me to put me shorts n t-shirt in the car and lend a hand????

Should be finished in work by about 2pm hopefuly, the rest of the day is yours if you need it...!!!!

Already done BigSi's Throttle cable, drizzled a tonne of light oil down inside his outer cable working it through by playing with the throttle pedal..... its better but not perfect..... no longer has the extra hard spring to return the throttle linkage.... STILL NEEDS A NEW ONE THOUGH!!!! not gonna have chance to fit it before the weekend, maybe have time on Sunday when were at Gaydon...... will need your tools Dodgy...!!!!

Simon