View Full Version : Anybody else ever get their gas pedal stuck full down? You won't need coffee in the morning!
muddywings
03-13-2013, 07:40
Had a nice commute into work this morning.
Started to shift into 3rd and whammm car took off on me.
(Granted it's my commuter/beater 98 honda civic so everything is relative of course)
Stomped on the pedal a few times as my brain was trying to process what was going on. No shit, in a microsecond, I actually thought....this ain't a Prius is it?
Threw it into 5th gear so I didn't burn out the engine (going about 40 mph), stomped on the pedal one more time and realized something was dorked so I killed the ignition and coasted to the side of the road, then onto a side street.
Tried turning it back on and it revved hot again. Got out, looked under the pedal-nothing, moved the floor mat (didn't look like it was on the pedal but was dark) and tried it again-good to go. 99% it was just the floor mat slipping onto the pedal and getting out caused it to slide off.
Overall, glad traffic was light this morning and I won't need any caffeine today!
Check those floor mats and drive safe....
Punkface
03-13-2013, 07:42
never heard of anyone having that problem with a civic. Good thing you're safe dude
Cylinder Head
03-13-2013, 07:44
never heard of anyone having that problem with a civic. Good thing you're safe dude
A few years back a bunch of people with Toyotas had that issue and died badly, glad the OP is safe.
Had a pedal stick wide open on a 40K pound truck once. Was exciting for a few seconds but turned out like yours. Turned it off, coasted into a parking lot and found the problem. A bolt has backed out on theo throttle mounting plate and it had caught up on that.
muddywings
03-13-2013, 07:47
Had a pedal stick wide open on a 40K pound truck once. Was exciting for a few seconds but turned out like yours. Turned it off, coasted into a parking lot and found the problem. A bolt has backed out on theo throttle mounting plate and it had caught up on that.
hmmm...thinking about and since I'm not a mechanic any recommendations on what I should look for. Like I said, I'm pretty sure it was just a floor mat as the rest of the drive in was fine.
The old Beetles would do that, especially in the winter. I've put strings on the gas pedal to pull it back.
I also had a piece of carpet jam the gas pedal in my later small Ford Ranger. I screwed the carpet down after the second time it did that.
I also had a Triumph motorcycle that throttle cable would stick if I didn't regularly clean and lube it.
It can get you're heart going if it happens when you aren't prepared.
Hang in there.
Have someone push the pedal while you are watching under the hood, car off. You will see the throttle cable pull the throttle body open. Check all around everything you see moving and make sure nothing is binding or hanging up. I think the Honda system is a little different setup.
i have also had the floor at in my jeep pin the throttle but it's usually real obvious.
Glad you did the smart thing and stayed cool. I think that's the reason the Prius story got so big, dem morons with no common sense crashing into shit...sounds kinda like our govt don't it?
muddywings
03-13-2013, 08:16
Glad you did the smart thing and stayed cool. I think that's the reason the Prius story got so big, dem morons with no common sense crashing into shit...sounds kinda like our govt don't it?
http://i.imgur.com/jTTgCTS.jpg
lol
Bitter Clinger
03-13-2013, 08:17
I had that happen to me in a buddy's street rod, A 41' Lincoln zephyr with a 540 pro mod, 871 blower putting out around 1100 rwhp. Story goes he was to big to get in the trailer to get it out, so my scrawny ass gets elected. He hopped in the passenger seat after I pulled out of the trailer and let me drive it a bit. I was honestly being good, until he told me to hit it. I slammed down on the SOB and could barely keep it straight. Hit 65 and let off.... it kept going, hit 140 before I thought to kill the ignition. Scared the hell outta me. Glad your safe man.
StagLefty
03-13-2013, 08:24
I've put strings on the gas pedal to pull it back.
Why did I picture a hamster in a round cage under the hood when I read that ? [ROFL1]
Had the same thing happen in my wife's car. I installed some new floor mats during the nighttime while the car was garaged, so the floor of the car was mostly dark. Later on I fired up the car and it was immediately on its way to redlining. Of course, completely forgetting about the mats, I over-thought it and checked out stuff related to the engine. Finally got around to checking the mats once I remembered and sure enough the lip of the mat was covering the gas pedal just enough. I was a bit ashamed with myself for that one...
I had that happen to me in a buddy's street rod, A 41' Lincoln zephyr with a 540 pro mod, 871 blower putting out around 1100 rwhp. Story goes he was to big to get in the trailer to get it out, so my scrawny ass gets elected. He hopped in the passenger seat after I pulled out of the trailer and let me drive it a bit. I was honestly being good, until he told me to hit it. I slammed down on the SOB and could barely keep it straight. Hit 65 and let off.... it kept going, hit 140 before I thought to kill the ignition. Scared the hell outta me. Glad your safe man.
A guy died in my home town when he clicked the ignition off and to lock. By the time he figured it out he over corrected in the corner at high speed. A sad end to a nice street rod. Id seen him earlier that day at the car show.
Hotchef181818
03-13-2013, 10:51
Had a similar situation in my 75 international scout 2 years back. Throttle cable frayed and when I stomped on it the frayed portion went thru the fire wall and wouldn't let the peddle release. Couple seconds later I yanked on the peddle and was able to pull it back thru. Just happy it wasn't anything that accelerated quickly. Still a good scare though.
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