Date:         Tue, 9 Mar 1999 13:03:50 -0400
Reply-To:     Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Subject:      Re: Frozen Accelerator Cable
Comments: To: Rob Lebo <robl@REDLION-CONTROLS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <199903091308.IAA20999@redlion-controls.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Many years ago, on my 81 westy, in the middle of a very cold
February, after keeping the pedal to the metal going up a long hill,
my accelerator cable also froze - WIDE OPEN.  The last thing I
wanted to do was to stop on the highway on a freezing day, so I let
the westy accelerate till I hit a down hill part, then turned off the
ignition and coasted, then on the up hill parts I let the clutch out in
4th and turned the ignition back on - FULL SPEED.  I kept doing
this till I reached an exit near my office with a gas station within
coasting distance.  I'm glad I wasn't in a ferrari!!!!    Malcolm S

Rob wrote:

> '91 Carat has a frozen accelerator cable.  Drove to Philadelphia last Wed night
> in rainstorm.  Driving to work Thursday in the snow and throttle stuck.  Tapped
> the pedal and it stuck in place!.  Through it in Neutral and turned off the engine.
>  Unstuck with a pull back on the pedal.  Scary.  Next few days it was ok.
> Sunday, frozen again with sub freezing weather and wind. Checked out the
> linkage under the front of the van and at the throttle body in the rear.  All looked
> well.  The problem is at he pivot point on the automatic trans.  Didn't want to
> risk crawling under it with only the factory jack.  Waiting to make arrangements
> with a friend who has a garage with a pit.  Easier access.  So...any of you
> listees ever had this problem??  How did you get the water out of the cable
> jacket?  Since I haven't see the linkage, I can only surmise that the accordian
> boot is shot at the trans linkage.  Have any of you ever pulled the cable out of
> the jacket?  What grease/oil did you use to re-lube.  Any tips on reinstalling?
> All advise welcome.  Thanks.
> Rob Lebo
> '91 Carat
> York, PA