Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 11:20:39 -0500
Reply-To: Birkenfeld Jeff <BirkenfeldJeff@JOHNDEERE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Birkenfeld Jeff <BirkenfeldJeff@JOHNDEERE.COM>
Subject: Re: Need advice on replacing accelerator pedal (accelerator cable
auto transmission)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Jeff now writes:
Automatic transmission accelerator cable rusting under van seems to be a
growing problem.
I have an update for part of this problem. When replacing my accelerator
cable due to rust in the cable near the transmission area (black plastic
transition piece from hard plastic to the acc cable tubing that bolts to
frame), I place a 12" piece of rubber line (fuel line whatever) over the
accelerator cable tubing so that it fits snug on the plastic transition
piece and over the accelerator cable tubing. This effect houses the
transition joint so that it is much less affected by water spray. I place a
small amount of RTV on each end of this new rubber line to aid in sealing
even further. This method is akin to sheathing the joint with a rubber
hose.
The replacement accelerator cable (auto transmission) feeds from rear of
vehicle just above front of transmission. Remove old cable at transmission
linkage, unbolt plastic transition piece from frame rail, remove cable under
fuel pedal and pull it our from underneath van at rear. Installation-Begin
at transmission, feed through plastic tubed housing (IIRC), feed cable along
frame rail and into the tube that runs above and middle of fuel tank, drop
spare carrier and remove spare tire, push to the side the black plastic box
that covers the bottom of fuel pedal (underneath van-spare removed-look up
under driver foot), feed new cable into the same area and attach to pedal
linkage (attach the new cable end in the middle of the adjustment area-it
will be obvious and tighten slightly) go back and attach the plastic
transition piece to frame rail, go back and attach cable end firmly to
transmission linkage. The transmission linkage then controls the throttle
body giving you acceleration. Once completed, adjustment may be necessary
to give proper shift points, I always begin at the front of vehicle under
the pedal and take up slack if trans upshifts too early, then fine
tune/adjust at the rear of vehicle on the throttle body linkage. Take up
slack if trans upshifts too early (low RPM), increase slack if trans
upshifts too late (high RPM). Once all is adjusted to your liking, reattach
the black plastic box under fuel pedal. Make sure you replace that rubber
boot on the transmission end of the linkage, the new cable should come with
one.
I hope this makes sense, if you have any questions, please let me know.
I've updated several automatic van accelerator cables in the last 3 years
with the rubber hose sheathing and no failures yet. Doesn't have to be a
new cable to perform this either but you do have to remove the pedal end of
cable to slip the rubber hose over the cable to sheath the transition joint.
Access is very limited at the transmission area but cable replacement can be
done without removing anything else. I usually end up unbolting
transmission mount from frame and lowering tranny about 2 inches (beware
this could pull something loose).
Tim, p-mail for more info.
Good luck!
JB
'89 Wolfsburgs
Tim Marciniak wrote:
>
> I searched the archives and find lots of posts on corroded and broken
> accelerator cables but nothing that really described replacing this
> cable. Just wondering how difficult it is. Near the auto
> transmission my cable is rusty and corroded because the boot that
> covers it has pulled away from its attachment point. When I press
> the accelerator pedal to the floor--it sticks--and then a few moments
> later it releases. I have dried to spray WD40 onto the cable and
> this has only been marginally effective. There are also a couple of
> coolant hoses in the way that prevent me from actually touching this
> cable. Bentley has pictures but gives no direction as to how to
> replace it only talks about adjustment. Just wondering if any one
> has done the R/R of this cable? Wondering if threading a new cable
> back through is difficult? Do you thread from back or front? Do I
> need to replace the plastic sheathing? Is adjustment difficult?
>
> TIA
>
> Tim
> 90 Multivan Automatic
> --
Larry then wrote:
When the accelerator sticks on my '91 automatic, the problem seems to be
at the pivot on the transmission. If I recall the cable from the front
actually pulls on a lever which give the trans throttle information.
The lubrication sometimes deteriorates where these parts are mounted and
the shaft enters the trans. To lube it properly may take some
disassembly, but I have gotten some improvement by dousing it with
Tri-Flow. I'd check this first, before pulling the cable.
Larry A.
|