Throttle Response

Topic: Throttle Response (Read 1187 times) previous topic - next topic

Throttle Response

November 19, 2006, 11:53:15 PM

Ever since we bought my Tbird several years ago, it's lack of throttle response has really bothered my dad and I. For example, when going up hills, we'd have to really lay in the gas to get the car to downshift and accelerate. We couldn't quite put our finger on it, but with the combination of very low 2.73 gears and a conservative computer, it seemed like that would explain it.

Yesterday, when I was going to work, the gas pedal got really soft and the throttle response was completely out of whack. The transmission wouldnt shift right, even to the point where the engine would just rev when the gas was floored. So I limped it back home, called my dad, and had to take my sister's truck to work (only then did I realize how spoiled I've been with the Tbirds comfy seats, soft ride, and cruise control). Dad told me he had fixed the car while I was at work, and told me that the linkage from the throttle body to the tranny came loose (and proceeded to show me the piece, which is just an inch or so below the throttle linkage), so he just put a pin in there in place of the rubber gromet.

This afternoon, I got in the car and started driving. Something felt really different. At first, I just figured it was because I got used to my sister's 4.3L V6, which doesnt have the punch of my 5.0. After a bit, though, I was convinced something had changed. The throttle response was absolutely amazing, with no hesitation at all. Going up hills is now a breeze, and laying the pedal down results in an instant downshift and takeoff. It feels like a completely different car. Thinking I was nuts, I asked dad to drive it after I got home and he said the same thing. It drives the way we had wanted it to all along.

So my question is - has anyone else had this same thing?

Throttle Response

Reply #1 – November 20, 2006, 01:15:17 AM

Sounds like your TV (throttle valve) cable was way out of adjustment. The throttle valve controls the transmission line pressure and shift timing on the AOD. You're lucky you didn't kill your transmission after driving it with out it being hooked up. I had that grommet break on me when I was replacing a throttle body. I bought a new one from Ford and popped it back in the hole. They get hard and brittle over time. That's one of those things to look at when you check the oil because the TV cable being hooked up is critical to the longevity of your tranny.

Throttle Response

Reply #2 – November 20, 2006, 09:38:15 AM

Quote

Yesterday, when I was going to work, the gas pedal got really soft and the throttle response was completely out of whack. The transmission wouldnt shift right, even to the point where the engine would just rev when the gas was floored.

So my question is - has anyone else had this same thing?

Yes, for about 5 seconds, on Saturday, July 19 2003, at 10:26pm. I had just turned a corner when the gas pedal suddenly got very light. Luckily I had been reading these forums for a while, and knew exactly what had happened. I coasted off to the side, popped the hood, loosely wrapped 2 small zip-ties around the assembly in an "X" shape, (took about 3 minutes to fix), and drove on home. Picked up 2 new grommets from Ford on Monday, popped one in on their lot, and drove to work. I expect the new grommet to fall apart again in about 15-16 years.

Throttle Response

Reply #3 – November 20, 2006, 02:27:28 PM

Yeah, luckily it happened very close to home, so I was able to nurse the car home without issue.

Funny thing, I just did an oil change on the car about a month ago. Oh well, now there's a metal pin in there that should last longer. :) The car responds so well now, it's really fun to drive.