Throttle Issues

[sbblowz]

I have a delorean that I am showing to a seller tomorrow. I just tried to start it to make sure the battery was charged enough and the throttle got stuck. I did a little research and noticed this was a recall due to water freezing inside the cable. I am just wondering what is the best way to de ice it so I can show the car properly. should I just toss some warm water onto the throttle cable?

[sdg3205]

should I just toss some warm water onto the throttle cable?

Only if you want it to freeze at speed or even worse than before!

If anything, start with some antifreeze, or bring it inside, let it thaw and used compressed air to blow out the water.

Use some good lubricant and shoot it down the cable from the spool assembly (take it off the spool assembly first if you can).

Install the ice shield recall to prevent dangerous freezing in the future.

EDIT - place a towel in the drivers footwell to catch the debris that comes flying out of the cable. Ask me how I know...

[Cory W]

No. Warm water will thaw temporarily, then just freeze it right back up.

Mine froze first winter I had my car, before I installed the shield. I could thaw it out by running the car with the heater on for a bit (time depends on temperature), but that solution is only good as long as it stays thawed.

Your best bet is to remove the cable completely (disconnect at throttle spool, and pull through at pedal) after thawing it out, putting straight antifreeze (coolant) through the cable until it's running out at the foot pedal (use a catch basin and towels!) and then run the cable back through. This was part of the recall procedure, to prevent future freezing of residual water, if I recall.

[sbblowz]

thanks a lot for the info. i just realized my mistake about using water haha. i will try with some anti freeze.


Only if you want it to freeze at speed or even worse than before!

If anything, start with some antifreeze, or bring it inside, let it thaw and used compressed air to blow out the water.

Use some good lubricant and shoot it down the cable from the spool assembly (take it off the spool assembly first if you can).

Install the ice shield recall to prevent dangerous freezing in the future.

EDIT - place a towel in the drivers footwell to catch the debris that comes flying out of the cable. Ask me how I know...

[sdg3205]

No. Warm water will thaw temporarily, then just freeze it right back up.

Mine froze first winter I had my car, before I installed the shield. I could thaw it out by running the car with the heater on for a bit (time depends on temperature), but that solution is only good as long as it stays thawed.

Your best bet is to remove the cable completely (disconnect at throttle spool, and pull through at pedal) after thawing it out, putting straight antifreeze (coolant) through the cable until it's running out at the foot pedal (use a catch basin and towels!) and then run the cable back through. This was part of the recall procedure, to prevent future freezing of residual water, if I recall.

Canada (and Canadian winters) to the rescue!

[sdg3205]

thanks a lot for the info. i just realized my mistake about using water haha. i will try with some anti freeze.

Let us know how it turns out.

We've heard of a few cars with stiff or stuck cables due to bad installation or wear rather than freezing. Just something to keep in mind.

[sbblowz]

is it difficult to run the cable back to the engine? sorry if this sounds like a dumb question


No. Warm water will thaw temporarily, then just freeze it right back up.

Mine froze first winter I had my car, before I installed the shield. I could thaw it out by running the car with the heater on for a bit (time depends on temperature), but that solution is only good as long as it stays thawed.

Your best bet is to remove the cable completely (disconnect at throttle spool, and pull through at pedal) after thawing it out, putting straight antifreeze (coolant) through the cable until it's running out at the foot pedal (use a catch basin and towels!) and then run the cable back through. This was part of the recall procedure, to prevent future freezing of residual water, if I recall.

[sbblowz]

Let us know how it turns out.

We've heard of a few cars with stiff or stuck cables due to bad installation or wear rather than freezing. Just something to keep in mind.

well the car turned on fine. than i gave it a little gas. now it just revs up once i turn the car on. so i just immediately shut it off. it has been in the 20's here in nj past week so im hoping its frozen.

[Cory W]

Canada (and Canadian winters) to the rescue!

My garage wasn't ready before first snowfall. I had a bit of a freeze problem until I took the time to make it right. Fortunately, it was winter and not a major inconvenience!

Fun sidenote: Both my car and the other one up here had a short throttle pedal travel. I've adjusted both of them for a more "normal" range, hitting the full throttle microswitch, etc. When mentioning it to Dave Swingle once, he bets it's likely the cables had been frozen once upon a time, and the pedal bent a bit when people were trying to "push" through the freeze. Something for anybody with short pedal travel to think about!

[sbblowz]

i just noticed that there is a metal cover above the spool. i will try in the morning when there is light to fix this issue. thanks for all the help.

[sdg3205]

i just noticed that there is a metal cover above the spool. i will try in the morning when there is light to fix this issue. thanks for all the help.

Is it large, black and attached to the intake manifold? If so, that's the recall.

[outatym2001]

I have a delorean that I am showing to a seller tomorrow.

sbblowz don’t you mean buyer? And not seller.


is it difficult to run the cable back to the engine? sorry if this sounds like a dumb question

Do what Cory W mentions in the post number 3. The cable will be really difficult to reinstall if it is badly frayed on the end. A brand new one has the end soldered to prevent the individual strands of the cable from separating.

The stainless steel multi-strand cable has a small piece of metal firmly attached by a machine on the end at the gas pedal. You’re going to have to lay on your back under the steering wheel to see and remove the cable/wire.

I had the freezing water in the throttle cable housing during the winter of December, 2008. In your DeLorean water is now in the lowest point of the housing which is hidden by the vinyl covered center console near the passenger seat. When the interior of the car warms up then the ice will melt and you can drive it again.

I removed the entire throttle cable housing since I already had the center console out and replaced the housing with a brand new one. I didn’t really need to do this but I was concerned about any possible future rusting inside the flexible metal throttle cable housing.

[DMCTek]

Just ran into the same problem on a car I delivered. Ran the car with the doors closed and heater on, it thawed free in about 20 minutes.
If the throttle is stuck high you should try and pull it down manually at the throttle spool (counter clockwise).
Once you free up the line you should at least blow the water out with compressed air. I would recommend a light oil spray like WD-40 over antifreeze once the line is dry.

[sbblowz]

thanks for all the input will give it a shot tomorrow