Hi everyone

My first post here, been lurking for a while, but figure what I have experienced might be useful for the community.

I was driving a '97 GXE, going up a small hill. Needed to speed a little, so go to left lane and step on it. I felt the pedal meet some resistance, like a stop, about halfway through the travel. This was kinda weird, cuz obviously the car isn't accelerating very much. I pushed it a bit more, it went 'through' and sped up like it should.

As soon as i let go of the pedal, I realized the throttle is stuck and the car is accelerating out of control. Tried pulling up the pedal with my foot to no effect, shifted to neutral, engine redlined, and after a few seconds of bouncing off rev limiter went back to idle speed. I coasted into a parking lot, poked around to no effect, although I could reproduce the problem every time by pushing on the pedal.

I got home (very carefully), started investigating. Basically the throttle lever under the hood (to which gas pedal and cruise control cables attach to) was getting caught on the hose clamp for the air intake. The bolt for the clamp was right near the throttle, and the stopper protrusion on the throttle was hitting the bolt (the 'stop') and then going past it and staying on the other side ('stuck'). Obviously rotating the clamp solved the problem.

Needless to say it was a stressful experience, and with the car being serviced a week ago, I suspect the mechanics may have caused it. If not that, is it possible for the clamp to work itself loose and rotate from vibration?

Thanks for reading, sorry if it's a repost or a well-known issue.

 

hmm you just gave and idea...to check this problem i been having...

 

it shouldnt happen again. if i were u i would go to the mechanics and bich at them. tell them you they coulda cost you your life, and ask for a free oil change.