VX Weird Problem – Accelerator Sticking on Cold Start

[Grogan]

Got this weird problem with my ’00 VX V6 Acclaim auto wagon (with cruise control).

On a cold start, the accelerator sticks. The car starts fine and idles OK, but the accelerator won’t budge until a bit of force is applied. Then it suddenly unsticks itself and everything is back to normal – the car accelerates and drives fine with no sign of a sticking accelerator.

Symptoms:

• The accelerator moves freely before starting, even when the key is turned to “on” – it only jams once the engine is started.
• It doesn’t do it when hot, only cold.
• It feels jammed at the throttle when trying to rev the engine by hand with the throttle lever. The cables for the accelerator and cruise control feel slack with plenty of play.
• There are no engine fault codes (just 0012 – all OK).

Any ideas what this could be and how to verify ? This is starting to drive me nuts.

Thanks,
Grogan

[TI3VOM]

Have you cleaned the throttle body out??

[wortus]

mine did this and it was carbon/soot build up on the throttle bod and butterfly. Once I cleaned it problem fixed. I did it on the car, I just put a rag under the throttle body and sprayed some WD40 onto the throttle butterfly while holding it open and around the inside of the throttle body. I was going to remove it if that did not work but it seemed to do the trick. If you use carby cleaner don't spray too much onto the IAC or TPS as you may bugger them.

[DevilDRake]

My vy does this too, but rarely. but i can rev it easily with my hand

[accentstencil]

I agree with the others, a build up of crap at the throttle body causing the butterfly to stick when cold.

[graham7773]

And if it is not the throttle body, replace your throttle cable. Mine did this a couple of months ago, replaced throttle cable, no more sticking.

[Grogan]

Wow, thanks for the replies.

I have just given the throttle / butterfly a good clean with WD40 and elbow grease. There certainly was a build up of carbon and soot, and the more I cleaned it, the less "sticky" it felt. I will see how she goes over the next few days, but I think we are on a winner.

Virtual beers all round !

Cheers,
Grogan