Just bought a 2000 TL with just a hair shy of 150K miles and I am going through the normal car routine maintenance (oil & filter, trans replacement & bypass filter, power steering, brake fluid, seafoam, throttle body cleaning & EGR cleaning when it warms up a bit) so I know when everything has last been changed. I was cleaning the throttle body and lubricating the throttle cables when I noticed that one of the throttle linkages (where the cable connects to throttle body) had popped out. I looked at the plastic where it connects and it looks like it was worn or possibly broken. I've tried to look at the throttle body assembly online to see what it normally looks like but have had no luck. Is it broken? If so, is the plastic part replaceable if I remove and disassemble the throttle body?




I tried to enhance the detail in photoshop so you can see what I'm talking about (rough edges in the notch where it connects). Thanks!

 

Welcome DivideByGyro !!!

Congrats on buying the TL. It appears as though you've done your homework with performing the common PM issues troubling our cars. The site's "DIY" sticky has lots of good info. Most everything has been covered by previous threads. The "Search" feature will be your best resource to finding answers quickly.

Concerning the cable popping out.....did this just occur while doing the recent TB cleaning ? Have you tried putting the wire back in ? Was the TB cable linkages working normally before ? Try reinstalling the cable and see if it pops out again. IDK if the worn rough edges are of concern or not.

Maybe someone else can chime in !!!

 

I was lubricating the throttle cables and they were attached, but the one going to the actuator on the other side popped off when I was putting the engine cover back on. It does stay in place and if I pull on the actuator, it controls the throttle but if I check the tension at the throttle body, it pops right off. Better if I don't touch it for now. At least the linkage connecting the accelerator is working for now!

 

It is broken and you cant buy just that piece. Your best bet is to find a used TB in a salvage yard or on Ebay and cannibalize it for that piece.

 

Thanks! What is the harm in not fixing it immediately? What does that that servo do? Allows the ECU to control the throttle to... maintain battery charge? prevent the engine stalling at idle?

 

EDIT: Just found it in the service manual--Cruise control cable. Cruise control and the buttons on the steering wheel don't even work on my TL at the moment, might be a fuse, but now I know.

 

Yup, the further one moves with the gas pedal, the closer one (the broken one) is just cruise control.

 

cruise button wont work with cable not in place

should be small deflection of throttle cables at stay bolt/adjuster
ck other end of cruise cable for lube needs

seafoam thru tank is the most effective at total cleaning - 1 can to half tank
twice if first time doing it, then yearly