Skip to main content
Topic: Hard gas pedal on first start...? (Read 2200 times) previous topic - next topic

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

I have been having an issue with my gas pedal being very hard to push down on first start, even sometimes when driving. I tried cleaning the throttle body plate with throttle cleaner, thinking it may be getting "hung up", but that didn't help. Any suggestions or other causes ?

Thanks in advance :bowdown:

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #1
http://www.coolcats.net/help/pedal.html
1986 Mercury Cougar - 2.3T/T5 swap, TC brakes and suspension and rearend, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, Stinger BOV, Gillis MBC @ 18 psi
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 - Daily driver
2015 Chevy Volt - Wife's daily driver

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #2
If its hard to press, then frees up for the remainder of travel likely the blade is sticking in throttle bore... You'd check that with throttle and kickdown cables removed then see if it sticks when fully closed, if so it'll need a tweak to base idle which will probably mean resetting TPS voltage...

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #3
Just replace the throttle cable. you'll be amazed at the differance.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #4
I tried cleaning the plate or blade inside the throttle body but it didn't help. Also sprayed the area with wd-40 where the throttle cable can be manually accelerated under the hood (the black button looking thing) and still didn't help. Probably need a new cable.

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #5
Could also be the kickdown linkage. everytime i fire the tbird up (t-5) to move it i can't beleive how much looser the gas pedal feels.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #6
Is that something that can be sprayed ?

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #7
It goes from the transmission to the throttle body. May need a bit of lube at the points that move. Make sure nothing is binding.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

 

Hard gas pedal on first start...?

Reply #8
Also check the cruise control/speed control cable that connects to the throttle cable. They can stick and cause binding.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.