Sticky Gas Pedal 1999 2.2L Camry

[BennyO2367]

I have searched the forum and havn't really found what I am looking for. I have a 99 Camry 2.2L and in the last few weeks the gas pedal has been extremely hard to push from a stop. I have cleaned the throttle body and had a local shop do the same. Has anyone else replaced the cables? If so, which one? I am asking so I don't have to go buy a bunch of cables. Also, the pedal is easy to push when the cruise is on, so I think the actual pedal mechanism is fine. Thanks!

[dlx]

I have the same problem!! it happens once in awhile at a red light. Hopefully someone has a solution to this.

[Night Speed]

i have same problem, too anyone know what the problem is?

[badappex]

More than likely you need to clean out the throttle body. Some carbon gunk might have settled by the butterfly causing it to stick a bit. See thread below.
How to: Cleaning Throttle Body -4 Cylinder Engines- With Pictures

[Mike Gerber]

I would still suspect a dirty throttle body. Use the link badappex referenced and pay particular attention to cleaning both the front and back side of the butterfly valve (throttle valve) and especially it's edges. Also clean the area where it seats in the throttle body again, when it's in the idle postion (straight up and down). Use a toothbrush as recommended in the thread on these areas. Most shops don't do that; they just spray some cleaner in there and that's about it. They might clean the excess cleaner off with a rag.

Mike

[BennyO2367]

My shop did use a brush, I watched him, but I will try it again. Its driving me CRAZY! Thanks for the replies.

[iovaykind]

Whew. I was scared to click this thread when I read the title. Glad it's stuck a different way than what I thought you meant!

[BennyO2367]

So I cleaned the throttle body very well with a brush as described above. The pedal felt much better with no sticking for about 800 miles, then it started doing it again. It sticks on the highway when I let off and try to get back on it. To me that seems very quick for the throttle body to get dirty again. Has anyone ever replaced the throttle body? Maybe the bushings for the butterfly are worn out? All I have found online are used ones....

[BamZipPow]

You should be able to remove the cable from the throttle body and check fer physical resistance. It's the only one that will pull the throttle open. All the other cables will follow the throttle plate.

Check the throttle pedal fer lubrication.
Check the kickdown cable fer binding.

Post up a piccie of yer throttle body and linkage...

[Tom 2000]

Originally Posted by BennyO2367

So I cleaned the throttle body very well with a brush as described above. The pedal felt much better with no sticking for about 800 miles, then it started doing it again. It sticks on the highway when I let off and try to get back on it. To me that seems very quick for the throttle body to get dirty again. Has anyone ever replaced the throttle body? Maybe the bushings for the butterfly are worn out? All I have found online are used ones....

Your throttle body gets dirty from the blowby coming from the crankcase. When was the last time you changed your PCV valve?

[Pvt-Public]

Disconnect the throttle cable from the throttle body. If the pedal is still hard to push you need a throttle cable.

[BennyO2367]

I would have to say its definitely not the cable, i have disconnected it and checked it a thousand ways. Why would the PCV valve cause this? I'm not familiar with what it actually does. It really seems like this may be some kind of vacuum problem, even though my mechanic told me that it could not be....It sticks hard when I let off at speed, say over 40, but seems to be fine at a dead stop. There is no resistance when the car is turned off, and all the linkage has been lubed and feels fine. Obviously I can't feel the linkage at speed but I don't know why it would bind then and not at a stop. Still looking for ideas, driving me crazy! Don't really want to spend 700 on a new throttle body to find out that it was not the problem. Thanks in advance.

[Pvt-Public]

Pull off the cruise control cable then take the car out for a run. It may feel free with the car off but with the car running it may be hanging up.

[BennyO2367]

Hi All,
Still having this issue after many cleanings and insuring it is not the cables. I finally broke down and bought a used throttle body from a wrecked Camry. My part came dirty, I am curious if I can remove the sensor from the back and soak the throttle body in something as opposed to going through three cans of carb cleaner. Also, what is the sensor on the back? Any tips on installing the new for me throttle body? This problem has been driving me CRAZY and my latest thought is that my throttle body warps when it gets warm and the butterfly sticks because of that. The car only seems to do it when it is warm and the pedal never sticks when the car is off. Any comments would be appreciated! Have a nice holiday.

Benny

[BennyO2367]

Well I changed my throttle body and it appears my problem is solved. I think my throttle body either had a groove in it (I cannot see nor feel one) or it became warped when it was hot. Obviously try cleaning yours before you attempt to put another one on, but if you have to its not that bad of a job. I got a used one off a 98 Camry from EBay with 95k on it for $65 delivered. Also had to pick up a $4 gasket and a $3 can of throttle body cleaner since the part came dirty. The toughest part was getting the water lines off and back on, but other then that it was an easy job. I figured I would post a reply since I have received so much help from this forum. Feel free to private message me if you would like instructions on how to remove and reinstall, but that being said, its not that difficult.

SSSOOOOO happy to have a smooth throttle again.

Benny