Sticking accelerator/throttle/gas pedal! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Mmm-Five · 21st February 2003, 16:39

Anyone had these symptoms?

Driving along the motorway at 80-90mph in top, drop down to 4th to overtake. Release pedal and declutch to move back into 6th. When clutch pedal is depressed the revs rise instantly and bounce off the limiter until I switch the engine off and cruise (with next to no steering and brake function of course) to the hard shoulder.

The accelerator pedal is floppy as if the spring is broken, but if I leave it for 5 minutes or so I can start up and the car is fine . . . until next time.

I have checked the trottle cable itself in the engine bay and it springs back as viciously as ever.

Any ideas guys?

Tony

mywong23 · 21st February 2003, 19:23

this is hard to describe; send me your email and I will send you a photo.

on the part of the throttle cable where it is attached to a bracket coming up from the intake, there is a thin rubber sheath surrounding the metal cable. over time, I think this sheathing deteriorates. when it does, it does not allow the metal cable to smoothly slide back into the outside protective wrapping. It can bind and thus keep giving the engine gas. Sometimes, blipping the throttle can unbind it. Other times, you'd better shut off the ignition, open the hood and manually slip the sheathing back into the cable housing.

If you don't panic, you might feel that the gas pedal is "loose"; as if it had no cable tension. That is because the cable is stuck.

If this is the case, BMW makes a clip to fasten onto the cable which does not allow the inner sheathing to slip out. This was an issue many years ago and was the subject of a recall. At that time, dealers gave away the clips for free; now they charge $3/ea.

btw, I clamped on another clip for the cruise control cable, too.

mike wong 91 M5
mywong23@yahoo.com

IvanDias · 21st February 2003, 19:41

This site never fails !!!

Mmm-Five · 26th February 2003, 14:23

Thanks for the help guys.

I actually found that little plastic sheath had cracked and I tore the rest of it off! This seemed to solve it for a day or two, but it came back.

We have finally traced it down to the cable binding (probably just do to lack of lubrication after 8 years) just after it leaves the throttle pedal assembly and heads off through the footwell.

A new cable will sort it out - unfortunately they are only special order - should arrive today!

All the books show is the 5 series with the DME (electronic?) throttle which doesn't have the same set-up!

PRAXXUS · 2nd July 2007, 21:52

Anybody know the part number of this "Throttle Cable Clip", I have a similar problem where, under heavy acceleration - fully depressed throttle, the cable pops out of it's supporting sheath, and sticks, thereby not allowing the throttle to return to normal idle. Obviously, not a good thing to have happen as the engine redlines in city traffic

AndyE · 3rd July 2007, 00:24

Mine did a similar thing a handful of times - but it was the cruise control actuator coming on and holding the throttle open.

gurman · 3rd July 2007, 14:56

At least you're over half way through the suspension now

Sebring NL · 3rd July 2007, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyE

Mine did a similar thing a handful of times - but it was the cruise control actuator coming on and holding the throttle open.

Hey Monsieur Ecclés

you should update your profile!

Sparkling Graphite Touring Derv Burner Planet Killer M-sport instead of Carbon Black Jesus

PRAXXUS · 3rd July 2007, 20:52

UPDATE:
Picked up 2 clips from the BMW Store, the parts manager informed me that this issue was a case for a October 1997 recall, and printed out the recall bulletin, with installation instructions.

SI Bulletin# 350197 (RC)
BMW Service Information - Pedals
Cruise and throttle cable recall campaign (E31, E32, E34, E36, E38)
RC97-173

The clip effectively locks/claps the throttle cable snugly and prevents any cable sheath movement from occurring under heavy/full throttle action. I strongly recommend e34 owners to pick-up this clip to prevent cable popping, this may save your engine from locking itself in full throttle position during idle situations and over revving your engine, as was the case for me.

Mmm-Five · 3rd July 2007, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRAXXUS

UPDATE:
Picked up 2 clips from the BMW Store, the parts manager informed me that this issue was a case for a 1997 recall, and printed out the recall bulletin, with installation instructions. The clip effectively locks/claps the throttle cable snugly and prevents any cable sheath movement from occurring under heavy/full throttle action. I strongly recommend e34 owners to pick-up this clip to prevent cable popping, this may save your engine from locking itself in full throttle position during idle situations and over revving your engine, as was the case for me.

I simply turned the ignition off and coasted to a stop when that happened - steering & brakes are very heavy though!

mottati · 26th July 2007, 21:57

bringing back an older thread to see if anyone has any tips for replacing the throttle cable. My car will occasionally idle at 2k+ rpm after a good run, blippling the throttles will often get it back down, but now always. The cables have had the safety wires done, but the inner sheath of the cable is coming apart, and i would just assume put a new cable on. Have one on order, coming from germany, so should have it in a couple more days. Just curious if there was a write up anyone knows of, couldn't find it with a search.

Will need to post some new pics soon, spend the weekend with the polisher and did some nice detailing, car is cleaning up nicely.
thanks guys!

Mike