What is the Accelerator Cable all about?

The driver controls the speed or acceleration of the car with the help of the accelerator cable, or throttle cable. This cable forms a connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body. It has an outer casing made of metal and rubber, while the inner cable is built with metal wire. With repeated use and friction, the accelerator cable can become worn out and ragged, and becomes more susceptible to breaking. Keep an eye out for signs that indicate that you must replace the accelerator cable.

Keep in mind:

• If the accelerator cable is broken or frayed, it cannot relay the signal to the engine. The engine, in turn, cannot open the butterfly valves and pump oxygen into the carburetor.
• The accelerator cable might not perform optimally because of slack. Our mechanic will examine it carefully and check for signs of wear. If there aren’t any, they could eliminate the problem by simply tightening it.

How it's done:

• The vehicle hood is raised and supported
• The defective accelerator cable is removed
• The new accelerator cable is installed
• The throttle is exercised to make it operates smoothly without binding
• The vehicle hood is closed and road tested for proper operation

Our recommendation:

It is advisable to get a mechanic to check the accelerator cable in your car if you notice the accelerator is abnormally inflexible and does not come back up right away. If you face a situation where the accelerator stops responding and you’re driving on a busy road, use the remaining momentum you have to pull over to the side of the road. Call and schedule an appointment with YourMechanic to fix this problem.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Accelerator Cable?

• Need to press down hard on the accelerator for response
• Engine does not respond immediately when you push down on the accelerator
• Car jerking during cruise mode

How important is this service?

A faulty or broken accelerator cable can result in your car coming to complete halt in the middle of traffic or worse, on an incline. Typically, accelerator cables are highly durable, but you should request a mechanical inspection every six months to ensure that it remains in perfect working order.