Binding Accelerator Pedal

[parkerjt]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 Ram 2500 5.9L and the accelerator pedal has started to stick after being depressed. Sometimes it very slowly returns to neutral, but not always. Playing around with it and it appears that the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor (APPS) is what is binding. I have tried lubrication with only limited success. The binding gets worse as the outside air temp goes up, which is a problem since I reside in Florida. This is a throttle-by-wire set-up so no mechanical cable is involved.

Anybody else have this issue? It came close to causing a mishap the first time this occurred, so now the truck is parked until I get this fixed.

 

[chedched]

Welcome to the forum. I haven't heard much on this considering it is "drive-by-wire". I will look at mine tonight and inspect for any possibilities I can come up with. With the plethora of knowledge around here I'm sure someone has run into this before...just hold tight.


Just a question for you, Have you checked the inside of the throttle body?

 

[parkerjt]

... Just a question for you, Have you checked the inside of the throttle body?

No, I have not but will look at that today and report back if I see anything amiss.

 

[chedched]

I guess there is the possibility you have some carbon build up. I am assuming it's a 5.9 Cummins...I'm not sure how they are set up or if they have these kinds of issues.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Several things to check:
Throttle body: a good cleaning does wonders.
Return springs: check them all they might be getting weak even the ones on the throttle pedal itself.
Bushings on the throttle pedal: binding there means they have lost their lubrication. Possibly replace them for safety.
Throttle Position sensor: remove it and see how hard it is to move. If it is binding internally then replace it. Safety first.

Most people do not know what to look for when trying to fix their problems. Glad you came here for a bit of assistance. Maybe others will chime in that can shed more light on the subject.

 

[LB3711]

if its drive by wire than it has nothing to do with the Throttle body. If the pedal is binding then that is what is bad. Lubing it might work but it might be broken and need to be replace.

 

[parkerjt]

Thanks all for the inputs. I checked the throttle body and it appears to be fine. I've had prior problems with carbon build-up on a Saturn SL2 and on my wife's Caravan so I am familiar with it. With the current cooler temps here the binding has stopped, but I will go ahead with checking the bushings once it stops raining here.

Best wishes to all.

 

[parkerjt]

I found the appropriate section in the maintenance manual for the removal of the APPS and there are cautions about separating the APPS from the pedal due to the unit calibration, which I will likely need to do to get to the bushings. The manual recommends only replacing the pedal/APPS assembly rather than dis-assembly.

Any thoughts?

 

[MegaMouseGW]

I would do as the manual says and replace the whole assembly if it is not too expensive. You may not be able to get just the one piece that you need.