03 Outback 2.5L Sticky Gas Pedal

[Fatbuford]

Hello Guys,

New member and 5 Subaru owner since 2001. My 03 Outback wagon 2.5L is experiencing an intermittent stiff accelerator pedal and I was wondering what symptoms differentiate a possible frayed throttle cable versus a pedal issue? Which cable is the accelerator and which is cruise control?

[Fairtax4me]

Throttle cable goes to the firewall.

Cruise cable runs around to the cruise servo.

 

Try cleaning and lubricating the linkage and return springs on the side of the throttle body. Blast away any dirt or old grease with brake cleaner then spray on some fresh white lithium grease and work the lever back and forth a few times and see if that helps.

If it's sticking in the closed position, and then "popping" open when you put more pressure on the pedal, that's because the throttle plate is getting stuck in the throttle body bore. Remove the air intake box and thoroughly clean the plate and bore with a rag and throttle body cleaner. This usually fixes a sticking closed throttle.

 

Also while you have the lithium grease out spray some on the pivot for the accelerator pedal. It's not common for those to stick but if there has ever been excessive moisture or mud/dirt inside the car it could cause the pivot to rust.

 

The cable could just be dry or have some dirt/crud in the sheathing. Not common for them to fray, and if it did it would probably stick the throttle open. I've rehabbed quite a few stiff cables with PB blaster to get the dirt flushed out and followed up with chain& cable lube.

It does require the cable be removed from the car though, so the lubricant can flow down through the sheathing as the cable is pulled back and forth.

Edited May 6, 2017 by Fairtax4me