Accerlator stuck on BMW 318CI

dudwell

Hi,
can someone tell me what might be the cause of my accelerator pedal suddenly getting stuck? I hadnt driven the car for about three weeks and as a result I had to jump start the car. Since getting the car started I have been unable to press down on the accelerator as it is completely locked out. I have applied a good but of power but to no avail, it wont budge an inch. Initially i suspected something might have been trapped underneath the peddle but this is not the case. The problem persists whether the car is started or not. Has anyone come across this before and could it be something i could easily fixed myself? Any feedback is much appreciated.

dudwell

CiniO

dudwell wrote: »

Hi,
can someone tell me what might be the cause of my accelerator pedal suddenly getting stuck? I hadnt driven the car for about three weeks and as a result I had to jump start the car. Since getting the car started I have been unable to press down on the accelerator as it is completely locked out. I have applied a good but of power but to no avail, it wont budge an inch. Initially i suspected something might have been trapped underneath the peddle but this is not the case. The problem persists whether the car is started or not. Has anyone come across this before and could it be something i could easily fixed myself? Any feedback is much appreciated.

dudwell

I assume accelerator pedal operates the throttle through the cable.
If so, check if throttle can be moved manually (under the bonnet it's just a little yoke which if you turn it will cause engine revs to increase.
If this is moving, then most likely cable is stock somewhere.

antodeco

It does sound like a stuck throttle cable. The throttle may need a bit of oiling of the cable may have split and is stuck somewhere!

dudwell

Thanks for the feedback guys. Any idea whereabouts I will find the throttle under the bonnet or even better, what it looks like? Excuse my ignorance, I dont know a thing about cars.

Matt Simis

dudwell wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback guys. Any idea whereabouts I will find the throttle under the bonnet or even better, what it looks like? Excuse my ignorance, I dont know a thing about cars.

What year 3 series?
New models (and um, some older ones like the E31) have electronic throttlebodies.. no cable.

Look at this thread, though its a V8 it shows the throttle cable and cruise control cable:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1665875

Hal Decks

OP, get a mechanic to look at that, given your lack of experience.

Matt Simis

Hal Decks wrote: »

OP, get a mechanic to look at that, given your lack of experience.

Yeah, one thing have a problem with a stationary car, another when the throttle sticks open on a road. Happened to me, but I had mentally prepared after all those US fatal accidents on what I would do, so I was fine, don't think most would be.

I pulled over and fixed it with a pin and some lacquer paint.

whyulittle

dudwell

Found the throttle cable and tried to manually rev the engine by pulling at the cable but its completely stuck. After having a neighbor take a quick look they reckon its the throttle body needs replacing. Before I go ahead and order a 2nd hand replacement can anyone think of anything else that might be the cause of the problem (i don't want to order a part if its not the cause)? I had considered replacing the part myself considering there are a few online videos and tutorials outlining what needs to be done (also seems like a bit of fun fixing it yourself). Might this be a bad move i.e. it looks easier than it is and could do more damage than good? Any feedback is much appreciated.

dudwell

dudwell

dudwell wrote: »

Found the throttle cable and tried to manually rev the engine by pulling at the cable but its completely stuck. After having a neighbor take a quick look they reckon its the throttle body needs replacing. Before I go ahead and order a 2nd hand replacement can anyone think of anything else that might be the cause of the problem (i don't want to order a part if its not the cause)? I had considered replacing the part myself considering there are a few online videos and tutorials outlining what needs to be done (also seems like a bit of fun fixing it yourself). Might this be a bad move i.e. it looks easier than it is and could do more damage than good? Any feedback is much appreciated.

dudwell

This happened to my last car (2001 318ci). It was the throttle body itself that got stuck. I just disconnected the air intake pipe attached to the engine and forced the throttle body free with a screw driver and oiled it a bit, never gave me any trouble again in about 4 years of ownership.

biko

Aye, remove the TB and give it a good clean and lubrication.
Can save you some dosh and takes maybe 30 mins to do (much longer if you're new to diy )
You can give it a go without removing the TB, might still work.

biko

biko wrote: »

Aye, remove the TB and give it a good clean and lubrication.
Can save you some dosh and takes maybe 30 mins to do (much longer if you're new to diy )
You can give it a go without removing the TB, might still work.

The easiest way initially is just to take of the air intake pipe and look inside and see the butterfly valve. Try to move the valve with a screw driver or something similar. It should move fairly easily unless its stuck, if it is stuck try to force it free. This is what happened to me, once I forced the valve free it worked fine and never got stuck again, I never actually removed the complete TB at all.

kyote00

Try your local Toyota dealer - they have lots of experience in this area

dudwell

Well I be damned, that's fixed it. Took off the air intake valve, un-jammed the throttle butterfly with a wooden spoon, cleaned the grime as best I could with a cloth after which I could then manually rev the engine via the throttle cable. Then tested via accelerator and all working again. This has been a productive day. Thank u all for ur excellent advice. I'm off to build a spice rack.

dudwell

biko

We'll bill you later. It'll still be cheaper than the mechanic.