Uncontrolled acceleration

[Grams]

Let’s Give ‘em a “hint”…..

1- Give it the Same Amount of Twist as you do the throttle when it’s Running.

2- Better make certain it’s at the “idle” position when you try to Kick-Start it.

 

[jawzs2]

1- Give it the Same Amount of Twist as you do the throttle when it’s Running.

Synchronization is key

 

[tap4154]

Used to ride quite a bit, but these days just have a little Yamaha CT-1 Enduro. I brought back from a rusting, non-running condition about 3 years ago. Only ride it around town and up and down PCH locally, but I've already put 3,000 miles on it. I rode one just like it in high school in the early '70s. It does suddenly accelerate well, but tops out around 65.

 

[turkeybird56]

It’s a Flat Head. The ‘34 VLD was the First 74 cu in V-twin made by HD.
THIS PARTICULAR VLD was the ‘34 DEMONSTRATOR…. bought by my friend’s father for his 19th B-day gift in ‘35 when the new models rolled-out. *

After Beryl retired (he was my first jet-instructor) and moved into assisted living, he called me and told me to come pick it up, he was giving it to me.
I told him, “You can’t do that, Beryl…that’s a family heirloom…your son is going to want that!”

“EFF-Frank! He didn’t come visit me in hospital twenty years ago! You DID!
… besides, I”ve already signed the Title over to You…. and don’t sell it…. HD wants it back for their museum…and they’ve already offered me Any New H.D. I want if they can have it back!”

* It’s also a total-loss oil system. The dry-sump engine has an oil-tank built into the gas tank. (separate tank cap) Every second gas fillup …. also pour a qt of SAE50 into the oil tank.
The engine breather vents onto the primary-chain…which slings the oil-vapor onto the secondary chain…which slings it onto the roadway. (keeps the chains lubricated…. 1934 roads were mostly dirt.)
It’s a 3-speed shifter on the left side of the gas tank, and a “rocker” clutch under the left foot.

The Right Twist-Grip is the throttle…as you might expect.
The LEFT Twist-Grip is for a different purpose: Care to Guess what-for..?

Honestly, I have no Friggin idea. NOW I could goggle it, but have no clue. I followed all ref lube and I saw the shifter. Never have had anything like dry sump applications. But have had 2 stroke motors, where U had the ole "purple" oil in a separate tank. My 1971 Suzuki T500R was a 2 stroke bike.
1971 Suzuki T 500 R
Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in)
Overall Width: 880 mm (34.7 in)
Overall Height: 1 105 mm (43.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 455 mm (57.3 in)
Weight: 190 kg (418 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2,
2-stroke. 47 hp (34.3 kW) @ 7 000 rpm, 5.5 kg-m @ 6 000 rpm. 110-120 mph

 

[turkeybird56]

Let’s Give ‘em a “hint”…..

1- Give it the Same Amount of Twist as you do the throttle when it’s Running.

2- Better make certain it’s at the “idle” position when you try to Kick-Start it.

My guess oil flow, without googling. See post # 124. BOIRD being honest.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Steering columns don’t lock any more in park or when the engine is shut off. We hashed that one out a month or two ago. Effort does get a bunch higher however.

While I don't doubt it for Ram, I do doubt it's universal.

 

[Grams]

More Hint: If you fail to have the left grip at “idle” (un-twisted) during starting…. it can backfire….painfully.

 

[turkeybird56]

More Hint: If you fail to have the left grip at “idle” (un-twisted) during starting…. it can backfire….painfully.

Choke??? Now I have not googled. Just seeing wat sticks on wall.

Lemme see: gas, air,fuel, spark. Wat needed fer any motor to run.

All that is left is spark lmao.

 

[Grams]

Nope. Not choke.

More Hint: if you fail to provide the same twist to the left grip…as you do to the right grip….during cruise…. the engine will not make max rpm.

 

[turkeybird56]

Nope. Not choke.

More Hint: if you fail to provide the same twist to the left grip…as you do to the right grip….during cruise…. the engine will not make max rpm.

All left is spark and timing advance. Gotta be timing tho how it works would be google fer sure as in wat is being moved adjusted to do that.

 

[Grams]

Yep. That’s what it is: Spark Advance.

If the spark is not fully retarded during the kick-start…(twist-grip fully forward…matching the throttle idle position)…. the spark will occur too-advanced and “Kick-Back” can occur risking a sprained-ankle.

As the throttle is opened using the right twist-grip…the left twist-grip is also applied equally…to advance timing. Equal amounts of throttle/spark-advance is the norm. (Very early B/W biker-movies would show both elbows descending as he applied throttle…. Looking very “Hokie” to moderns…. but absolutely correct before vacuum, mechanical or centrifugal-advance was incorporated into motorcycles.) The spark plugs are Huge…about the size of D-cell flashlight batteries. (Modern plugs can be used with screw-in adaptors however. Beryl told me his little terrier-dog would ride with him sitting on the gas tank….and one day the dog’s foot slipped down and touched the spark-plug lead…. The dog let out a “YELP” and lept OFF the bike while travelling along abou t 30 mph…. but he ran along-side and, as Beryl let-off the throttle the little dog Lept Back Up onto the tank …and they continued on down the road.
He said the dog never made that mistake again. LOL.

The VLD is a “hard-tail” and trailing-link “springer” forks suspension. I also have original Harley-Davidson embossed saddlebags and “buddy-seat” for this bike.

Beryl was an Ohio-boy and this bike was sold thru the Steubenville H.D. dealership, whose little “sticker” is still visible on the forks.

I really enjoy it as it gives me fond memories of my dear friend, Beryl. (An Army Air Forces vet of both WW2 (Marauder) and Korea (C-45). I’ve got a photo of him with Jack Dempsey at Dempsey’s restaraunt in NYC. Beryl also taught John Travolta to fly jets (also Salem bin Laden, who he said was a horrible student…and never finished) and for a short time flew Burt Reynolds / Lonnie Anderson when they were a pair.

Hope you guys don’t mind the diversion.

 

[turkeybird56]

Yep. That’s what it is: Spark Advance.

If the spark is not fully retarded during the kick-start…(twist-grip fully forward…matching the throttle idle position)…. the spark will occur too-advanced and “Kick-Back” can occur risking a sprained-ankle.

As the throttle is opened using the right twist-grip…the left twist-grip is also applied equally…to advance timing. Equal amounts of throttle/spark-advance is the norm. (Very early B/W biker-movies would show both elbows descending as he applied throttle…. Looking very “Hokie” to moderns…. but absolutely correct before vacuum, mechanical or centrifugal-advance was incorporated into motorcycles.) The spark plugs are Huge…about the size of D-cell flashlight batteries. (Modern plugs can be used with screw-in adaptors however. Beryl told me his little terrier-dog would ride with him sitting on the gas tank….and one day the dog’s foot slipped down and touched the spark-plug lead…. The dog let out a “YELP” and lept OFF the bike while travelling along abou t 30 mph…. but he ran along-side and, as Beryl let-off the throttle the little dog Lept Back Up onto the tank …and they continued on down the road.
He said the dog never made that mistake again. LOL.

The VLD is a “hard-tail” and trailing-link “springer” forks suspension. I also have original Harley-Davidson embossed saddlebags and “buddy-seat” for this bike.

Beryl was an Ohio-boy and this bike was sold thru the Steubenville H.D. dealership, whose little “sticker” is still visible on the forks.

I really enjoy it as it gives me fond memories of my dear friend, Beryl. (An Army Air Forces vet of both WW2 (Marauder) and Korea (C-45). I’ve got a photo of him with Jack Dempsey at Dempsey’s restaraunt in NYC. Beryl also taught John Travolta to fly jets (also Salem bin Laden, who he said was a horrible student…and never finished) and for a short time flew Burt Reynolds / Lonnie Anderson when they were a pair.

Hope you guys don’t mind the diversion.

All good interesting read which is why we fall off the wagon and wander. I am trying to get it in my head of Simultaneously twisting throttle and spark control and also controlling the "steering" and turning as such. U best be coordinated cause if U be like Tim Conways' LT Parker in McHales Navy U be in Big trouble, lmao.

I see the left handle bar has a lever, is that for the clutch? I know has foot brake did these oldsters have front brakes? Or is that a later innovation?

GOING BACK: My Dad was a friend of Western Singer Steve Reeves and wrestler Bruno Sammartino. I remember back in the mid 60's Bruno and Steve came to our town and did an exhibition to help town raise funds for Volunteer First Aid Squad. The first 'ambulance" was a Ford Van, 3 speed, with the 2 side doors in the middle and standard Drivers/Pax doors. Boy was those the days.

 

[Gentry38]

Hello all. Am needing assistance. Bought new 2024 Ram 2500 Laramie. Have had 2 uncontrolled automatic full throttle accelerations while sitting completely stopped. First happened September 15, 2025 and pushed me into an intersection - all while I had my foot continually on the brake. Called and took immediately to dealer. They tested and said ‘it didn’t throw a code”. I said it still redlined and systematically kept pushing me. They kept for couple days and replaced the throttle body. Thought was fixed and Dec 5, 2025 happened again. (Pulled to the shoulder to recheck my route before entering the interstate.) While sitting still it again redlined and started pushing me down the embankment. I flipped it to park and shut it off. Immediately called dealer and took it back in. Same response. They said it hadn’t thrown a code so nothing they could do and I needed to contact Ram. I’ve been trying but making little progress. Keep calling the customer service number dealership gave me. Get assigned a case number, and ‘case specialist’ supposed to call me back in 1 business day; and no response. Also filed with Nat’l Traffic Safety Admin but heard nothing back.

I’m really concerned it will happen again - happened twice in less than 90 days. Been so lucky was not in heavy traffic, or on the move first two times. If I’m hauling cattle or equipment it could be catastrophic. Any information greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Make sure to report it to NHTSA (https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem) — so it's on their radar in case a safety recall is required.

 

[Odessa]

Does your vehicle have the ECO function where the engine is turned off while you are stopped...then turns back on upon acceleration? If so, could be that, when it turns back on, whichever sensor or PCB is supposed to determine the appropriate RPM for the applied load (start moving, or turning on AC, etc.) is waaaayyyy overshooting. If it's this, it could be caused by an intermittent short circuit in the cabling or a faulty sensor or PCB that that sensor plugs into.

This is VERY dangerous and if it were me, I would certainly investigate if there are any LEMON laws in your state, and if so, mention to the dealership that, unless they fix it and give you a loaner in the meantime, you will submit it as a LEMON, and also, if they refuse and any damage or worse is caused by the problem, they will be held legally liable. You might want to have an attorney call them.

 

[Olecarguy]

This seems plausible, however, I just checked and My brake pedal doesn't travel near far enough to allow the throttle to be floored if I was going across both pedals. Maybe 1/2 throttle to which if the brakes are fully locked, it shouldn't over run them, at least not in a surging motion great enough to cause major damage.

I recently experienced a similar “uncontrolled acceleration”. 2023 Ram 1500, 5.7. Pulled up to intersection, stopped. Waiting for cross traffic to clear when the engine revved after sitting stopped for a moment. The harder I pressed the brake, the more it wanted to overcome the brakes. This happened 2 times after putting 31k on the truck without incident.

The first time scared the **** out of me. The second time I threw it into neutral and shut it down without physical moving.

What was different than the previous 31K miles. New pair of work boots Size 10 EEE and my seating posture. Seating posture caused my right knee towards console which angled my foot such the it was not flat with the brake peddle. While I was pressing on the brake peddle (right side) with my sole center, the outside of the sole was touching the accelerator. It didn’t take much movement of the accelerator to start the truck reving up which caused me to react by pressing brake harder which also pressed the accelerator.

While I’m not denying anyone’s concerns or reality, I feel I know what caused mine. As a test I nolonger where those new boots and haven’t experienced a problem again, thank god.

 

[tap4154]

Is anyone that's experienced this common user of cruise control? I'm just trying to think of a system that might be have a bug in it that could be causing this. I never use cruise control, in fact I'd like to just disable it.

 

[Daw14]

I use cruise control very often. I use it to keep my speed down ?
If I just rely on my foot ,it keeps getting heavier and heavier.
Cruise helps me to keep from having my license removed from my possession.

 

[Thorpdrvr]

Hello all. Am needing assistance. Bought new 2024 Ram 2500 Laramie. Have had 2 uncontrolled automatic full throttle accelerations while sitting completely stopped. First happened September 15, 2025 and pushed me into an intersection - all while I had my foot continually on the brake. Called and took immediately to dealer. They tested and said ‘it didn’t throw a code”. I said it still redlined and systematically kept pushing me. They kept for couple days and replaced the throttle body. Thought was fixed and Dec 5, 2025 happened again. (Pulled to the shoulder to recheck my route before entering the interstate.) While sitting still it again redlined and started pushing me down the embankment. I flipped it to park and shut it off. Immediately called dealer and took it back in. Same response. They said it hadn’t thrown a code so nothing they could do and I needed to contact Ram. I’ve been trying but making little progress. Keep calling the customer service number dealership gave me. Get assigned a case number, and ‘case specialist’ supposed to call me back in 1 business day; and no response. Also filed with Nat’l Traffic Safety Admin but heard nothing back.

I’m really concerned it will happen again - happened twice in less than 90 days. Been so lucky was not in heavy traffic, or on the move first two times. If I’m hauling cattle or equipment it could be catastrophic. Any information greatly appreciated. Thank you.

After approximately 3 seconds of full throttle with brake application, does the engine go back to idle on its own?

 

[RamDiver]

Is anyone that's experienced this common user of cruise control? I'm just trying to think of a system that might be have a bug in it that could be causing this. I never use cruise control, in fact I'd like to just disable it.

Would that be the cruise control that cancels when you tap the brake?

I use cruise control everywhere, provided the road surface isn't slippery with snow or ice.
I haven't heard any stories of the OE cc going crazy.
We could also blame the 5G cell towers and satellite internet.

.

 

[Bob Horowski]

I can not stay quiet any longer. To ALL the people who use two feet to operate a vehicle with an automatic transmission someone needs to instruct you on how to operate a vehicle safely. Using your left foot for braking is just simply INANE! I do not know of any driving instructor professional or not who would teach or advocate such usage. Proper instruction for slowing down or stopping a moving vehicle would be to remove your RIGHT foot from the accelerator and then use your RIGHT foot to apply braking force to slow or stop the vehicle. Only exception to this procedure would be if the operator had only one left foot.