When I pulled over I didn't have a screw driver to remove the access port to the tunnel in front of the rear seats, so I couldn't check there but I could reach my hand under the car and use the connection point at the transmission to rev the engine and the spring return was working there. I also checked at the top of the engine and the throttle was moving freely so there was no binding along the linkage. When AAA arrived I borrowed a screw driver to check the access point where the shift coupler is also located. that's when I saw the problem. the little plastic piece that supports the linkage as it exits the car was in pieces inside the tunnel. at the pedal there is no spring loaded return and I can not use the pedal to get any throttle response. I could creep the car along in first gear to get it safely onto the flat bed and got it home.
here is the picture I took this morning of the linkage condition at the access point. I am trying to figure out the part number of the piece that needs to be replaced as well as the method for replacing it. it was in so many pieces that I could not figure out how it attached to the linkage.
