car is accelerating on its own

2002 TOYOTA COROLLA
130,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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KHOY6
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
i felt like my gas pedal was lower to the ground than it always is, and my RPMs were at 2,000. i don’t know if my gas pedal is stuck but nothing will bring it up off the ground. There is still some room between the floor and the pedal, but a noticeable difference and even in drive and reverse, the car will accelerate on its own.
Feb 21, 2022 at 6:35 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

There is a throttle valve cable on this vehicle. It sounds like that may be causing it to stick. The cable will run to the throttle body.

Here is what I need you to do: Remove the top of the air filter box. See pic 1 below. Next, loosen the clamp where the air hose attaches to the throttle body.

Inspect the cable that goes to the throttle body. What I would suggest is to disconnect the cable to see if the idle speed goes down. If it does, that cable will likely need to be replaced.

I highlighted the parts below and have an arrow pointing to where the cable attaches.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below.

Feb 22, 2022 at 7:40 PM
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