Guys,

I thought I'd just post this in case any of you run into this problem.

On my 2000 TL the throttle cable seems to have stretched a little. Over the years I never really noticed it, until I was tweaking something and wanted to rev the motor. There was a fair amount of slack in the line, a lot more then I would consider normal, or I ever remember.

So I tightened it up, by loosening the bolts, and moving the housing to tighten up the slack. After I moved it about 4-5mm to the right (towards the back of the motor), I started the car back up. No high revs to suggest I had over tightened it and so I went for a spin.

It's a very different car now. I can get traction control to kick in on dry ground very easily and it pulls a lot harder. I suspect it's been this way for a while but I rarely give it so never noticed.

Hope this helps someone searching in the future. To that future person - your welcome.

 

hmmm would this explain slight hesitation when hitting the gas peddle? Sometimes my gas peddle just seems sticky... havent been able to figure out what the problem is yet maybe thats it?

 

Try shooting some grease down the cable housing and working it in. Doing this and cleaning my throttle body removed the sticky pedal issue I had previously.

 

Nice thanks Im going to have to give this a shot next weekend when I have time!

 

you want just enough play that pushing the cable with a finger doesnt move the cable at the throttle- but a little more will...does that make sense?
1/8" freeplay?
To lube- remove both cables from the mount- shoot silicone lube-wd or deep creep down into the cable sheath- move the cable to force fluid thru
reassemble and adjust-check for idel and idle return after rev

Clean the TB plate while you are there- it gets saturated with engine oily vapor blowby and needs to be kept clean with carb clean-TB cleaner -deep creep works too

 

rob -you had the intake off a few times now- possibly at the dealer was last person to adjust the throttle cables? or was it you after the valve adjust?
Every cars throttle cable/spring return mechanism needs to be cleaned and lubed- most techs dont bother, but we care abut our cars!

 

Thanks for the help

 

Tom,

Now that I think about it you're right. I did mark it though to set it back up correctly. It may have loosened and/or stretched.

Car is quicker now at WOT

 

Think my car needs this to be done to it... my car doesnt feel as it did before..THROTTLE response wise. Thing is that i wouldn't know how tight to put it.

 

should be about a 1/4 inch of slack when you press lightly on the cable with your finger between the bracket and throttle body (02-03 for sure). the tb plate should be 100% shut at idle.

 

the best thing is to remove the rubber intake snout and grab a mechanics mirror

Be certain the TB plate is clean before you start, then check that it's closed at idle,
and full throttle --- with the pedal ---makes it flat to the airflow-horizontal

 

sluggish cars may need a seafoam treatment before thinking throttle cable~
60-70k miles- wont hurt to install new NGK Iridium sparkplugs, they MAY last to 105 but not a peak performance

When installing a spacer at the TB to manifold- P2R or Outlaw- that will require
resetting the throttle cables too.

I forgot to say before: when you are lubing the cable- hold it as vertical as able- get the lubricant to go thru all the way, (put shop rag at throttle pedal inside car)
Clean and lube the mechanism return springs- that makes a big differance

 

not true. shouldn't have to reset the cables on 02-03 and i believe 99-01 (not positive). check the picture on my 02 TLP. this is before i installed the spacer. the whole tb assembly shifts to the right in this picture, including the cable and bracket and spring mechanism: