Sticking throttle cable

[Kayfur]

I'm having problems with engine revs not returning to idle. ( intermittantly sticks at about 2000 rpm )
I've isolated the problem to the throttle cable. The throttle butterfly is being held slightly open by friction in the cable.

Does anyone have experience of re-lubing these cables, and if so, any advice?
I don't fancy replacing the cable if I can avoid it!

Otherwise - any tips for cable replacement?

Kevin

[Stewart]

I remember someone asking this before and the forum providing a link to a cable oiler. For some reason I chose to save the link. The time has now come to share

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp? ... er%20(7mm)

To be honest I think it may have been Lawrence who came up with this link originally.

[mac]

Shuggles and I did a replacement on his car in under an hour on his car many moons ago.

I need to do the same - the only thing putting me off is the cost of a new cable!!!


Mac

[Victor Meldrew]

Ali did the biz for me as well a week or so ago...

Three things it could be..

Throttle body, good squirt of WD40 and wiggle with an old paint brush around all the springy bits then some more WD40 sometimes helps even if it is the cable.

Throttle cable itself as you said.. need an oiler or buy a new one...

Throttle pedal, the bushings can crack putting the pedal offcentre a bit and it will start to bind or maybe the pedal linkage has worn and is binding...

[alicrozier]

Defo the cable Kev? Similar symptoms can be caused by a sticky IACV which then pulls a vacuum in the manifold and sticks the throttle slightly open.

Simple check for this, doesn't stick with the engine off.

[Kayfur]

Thanks guys

John / Ali : It's definately the cable rather than the IACV or peddle assembly as the throttle snaps shut when the ( throttle ) cable is disconnected. Also the thottle is now beginning to stick at significantly wider openings too
The pedal mechanism is working smoothly but I there is a significant amount of friction in the cable itself - I'll try rigging up an oiler based on Stewart's link.

Mac - did you get a price for the cable? I don't see it on Eliseparts or Eliseshop websites

[Shug]

From memory, it used to be about £70 from Lotus (I never found an alternative and couldn't identify if it was an MGF part) Dunno what that will be now...

[tenkfeet]

Just an idea but if it has twisted it will cause friction . You could try undoing the lock nuts and make sure it is naturally set . It also ( well on mine ) runs really close to the bottom of the sump and was fretting in that area .

[Rich H]

If you can pull the cable out of its housing, wipe the cable down with WD40 and squirt a load down the cable guide.
Blow the cable guide out with comp-air or manual equiv
Grease cable with the grease of your choice (Lithium grease is waterproof)
Reasemble adn wonder at how smooth it it.

Worked on my boot release cable....

[Shug]

Throttle cable has crimped on nipples (fnarrrr) at either end. If you could replace the throttle end one with a suitable grub-screw mounted one though...

[Kayfur]

Unfortunately no twist in it Alan.

I tried oiling the cable ( using various pieces of hose, jubilee clips and a bicycle pump ) but it's no better so I called Murrays to get a price. Not as bad as expected at ~ £35 so I've ordered one which should be in by Saturday.

Rich - as Shug points out there are crimped nipples on both ends ( I'll refrain ... ) and I reckon the cable would have to be straight, i.e. out of the car, in order to feed it back into the sheath - so probably less hassle to change for a new one.

Mac, not sure yours will be the same price as this is for the later S2 with the simpler linkage ( connects directly to the pedal without the bell-crank arrangement ) I think this changed around June 2003.

Shug, I seem to remember you having a problem with your cable near Killin and trying to repair it in an old woman's driveway along with about a dozen Elises / Caterhams. Her daughter looked very surprised when she pulled in to visit!

Thanks to everyone for the help

[mac]

Yeah - I think mine is going to be closer to the £70 mark for the earlier S1/S2 one.

Pity as it's going to need changing sooner than later

[Shug]

Shug, I seem to remember you having a problem with your cable near Killin and trying to repair it in an old woman's driveway along with about a dozen Elises / Caterhams. Her daughter looked very surprised when she pulled in to visit!

Thanks to everyone for the help

Ah - I remember that now! Managed to get a wee grub-screwed bobbin on it in the end - must have been buried in the dark scary recesses of my mind...

Must be the first time I've heard of a detail change making a part cheaper - well done Lotus

[tenkfeet]

If its £35 I will get one ordered for mine .

[s333fee]

hi,

before you go spending money on parts have a look under the accelerator pedal in the footwell; this will require you to lie upside down on the floor, either side will do, but the driver side works best. Take he roof off so you can have somewhere to out your feet. some here call this the LOTUS position.

the reason you are doing this is to check that the cable slieve is actually located in the socket at the back of the pedal. our S1 did a similar thing and we found that the sleive was short and did not align straight with the socket causing it to jam, you will need to spray some lube onit as well to stop future sticking, you can get a small amount of slack if you pull it out of the centre tunnel. anyway should not take too long, and is worth doing.
if you need any more ino please contact me


S333FEE Support team