I have a 2002 Saturn S series. The throttle sticks every time I start it and get ready to drive it. I press on the accelerator pedal and it won't activate the throttle without first sticking and then begins to move the car with a lurch! The thing is dangerous if anyone else got in it and tried to drive it without knowing what it was going to do. I know it's going to lurch forward so I compensate for it. Sometimes I'll just sit in neutral and press the accelerator several times trying to loosen it up. That works a little but not like it should. It does the same thing if I leave the car for a few minutes and start it up again. It's not as bad if I'm continually driving it once I go through the lurch phase upon first starting the car.
I have checked everything I can think of. I can't find any place it's rubbing, such as rubbing against the carpet and where it goes through the firewall. And I don't find much that I can lubricate under the hood to stop it, either. I have tried using WD-40 or LPS-1 on the shaft that has a coil spring wrapped around it, but that doesn't seem to help at all.
Anyone have a solution, or suggestion?
Thanks, gang.
Ron

 

Have you tried opening the throttle at the throttle body by hand without it running? Maybe even disconnect the cable from the throttle body and see if it is the throttle plate actually sticking in the bore. If the throttle body works as it should, you probably need a new cable. If the throttle plate sticks in the bore and everything is clean, it might be possible to make an adjustment to the linkage. I had to do this to my throttle body on a 95 454 truck at work. I had to remove the throttle body and remove a tamper proof plug over the adjustment screw. As the shaft and housing wears the plate can stick in the bore.

 

I haven't done that, but I'm glad you posted what you did. Someone referred to the throttle body, but gave no mention and I had no idea what they meant. With what you've posted here, you gave me a better picture of what you mean. I really appreciate that. One thing I have a problem with is being too short. ha ha. I may not get to try what you're talking about because we have a lot of family here. And I'd rather chat with family than tinker with cars. You know what I mean.
Thanks again!
Ron

 

A project for another day.

 

Long time no visit, sir.

If you haven't cleaned the throttle body nor had cleaned anytime in the last few years, it is likely just build up around the outside of the throttle plate in the throttle body. I don't remember your cars having a ton of miles on them but it is possible a throttle cable is worn.

This kinda thing is most easily sorted out with one person on the pedal and another under the hood observing what is going on or what is not going on.

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