Sticking Throttle Cable

[DELTONA]

Can anyone help please?
I took the Fulvia out of hibernation today, started her no problems albeit a new battery maybe on the cards.
While looking over the engine bay I started to rev the engine in pulsating motions to warm the engine then all of a sudden the throttle stuck and the engine proceeded to rev at maximum revs - I quickly ran round and turned engine off at the ignition as I couldn’t un-stick the throttle (hope to god no damage has been done).

On further inspection I did the same thing again with engine off to try and replicate the problem - I found that the accelerator cable moves from right to left every time the throttle is pressed - is this normal?? Or is my cable too long perhaps? Every 4-5 presses of the throttle the cable kinks to the right and consequently sticks in ‘throttle-on’ position! If I hold the cable dead straight it doesn’t kink however unless I am mistaken there is no bracket or clip to hold the cable in this straight position.

I also noticed some wear on the oil cooler pipe (Rallye S model) it rests on (which isn’t good).
The cable is a year old therefore at a miss why all of a sudden it’s doing this.

Anyone had the same issue?
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated…

[dhla40]

Sounds like the return spring on the throttle bellcrank arm is not strong enough to pull the cable and pedal back.

Sean

[Simon B]

I would just work methodically through everything, disconnect the ball joints at the bell crank and check throttle spindle snaps shut. Check the bell crank moves freely, the spring is pretty fierce and that should snap back sharply every time. Check the inner cable slides easily, on my car I don’t think there is any movement of the outer cable sheath between the bulkhead and bell crank assembly when operating. Lastly check the accelerator pedal moves freely, this is the only problem I’ve experienced that’s caused a sticking throttle, the rubber rollers behind the pedal swelling, typically though when it’s very hot. (See article in tech section) Check also the nylon pivot bush. Good luck, shouldn’t be too difficult to find the culprit!

[fay66]

If the rubber rollers haven't been changed, then it's well worth changing them for roller bearings, my throttle used to stick and I had to hook my foot underneath to stop my fulvia  ;)galloping off, which was a bit scary.
Brian
8227

[nistri]

One further point to be checked for a sticking throttle is the bulkhead hole through which the cable passes. Its bush or grommet can distort with hight temp in the engine bay and press on the cable sheath making the pedal return slow or incomplete.