3.2 gas pedal returning too far back when released

[WIL84911]

Problem has worsen. I noticed when I release the gas pedal it comes back a little bit further than it's normal position. Anyone had this issue and what was the fix? Thanks in advance.

[aston@ultrasw.c]

The push rod on the backside of the pedal is adjustable. Give the pedal a sharp tug toward you and it will release.

Make sure flat on the floor = WOT and both throttle position microswitches are being actuated.

OTOH if the position is changing you may want to check the entire linkage to see if something is about to fall apart.

[WIL84911]

Originally Posted by aston@ultrasw.c

Make sure flat on the floor = WOT and both throttle position microswitches are being actuated.

OTOH if the position is changing you may want to check the entire linkage to see if something is about to fall apart.

Thanks I'll check both.

[mobius911]

Could be the rubber coupler that sits above the transmission mount is rotted out. It has a metal cage around it so that the linkage doesn't break in half, but the cage will make the overall linkage loose and the pedal could pull back further.

Old couplers didn't have the metal cage and when the coupler rotted the throttle was gone. Happened to me once; not fun.

[CCM911]

Wil, be sure to get underneath and follow the rod(s) through the back of the engine. I have an 84 as well and pedal position never changes. I am the most half-a$$ed person out there when it comes to most things, but this is an item that can leave you stranded. Just make sure nothing is falling apart.

[Grady Clay]

Wil,

There is an “accelerator cushion” alongside the nose of the transmission, just forward of the transmission bell-crank throttle linkage piece.
The internal rubber cushion can separate and the outer housing (since about ’70) can continue to operate the throttle at the engine.
When (not if) this fails, the accelerator pedal can rise and you don’t get full throttle at the engine when the pedal is on the floorboard stop.

This might be an excuse to renew your throttle linkage from front-to-rear.
There are a lot of little plastic bushings and ball-cup linkage that needs periodic replacement, cleaning and fresh lubrication.
The accelerator cushion is a part to summarily replace every decade or so.

This failure is greatly exacerbated by an improperly set floor-board stop on the throttle linkage (behind the pedal).
When the accelerator pedal is hard (faster, faster) against the floorboard stop, the linkage at the engine should still have some movement before it stops.
Otherwise, you over-stress the accelerator cushion (and other linkage) leading to failure.
The last 10% of throttle opening makes almost no difference in performance.


This can be simultaneous with a pedal assembly rebuild and tending to shift linkage bushings.
Many like to change the brake light switch to the earlier (operated by the brake pedal) version. This allows you to turn on the brake lights without actually applying the brakes (keeping tail-gaters off your rear bumper).

A good weekend project, every decade or so.
Planning will make it easy.

Best,
Grady