1997 Dodge Caravan throttle cable control

DIENNA

MEMBER
1997 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
174,344 MILES

I live in michigan and yesterday it was extremely cold
I went out to start my car and it started normally engen idle was normal. I had to reverse back up to leave my paking stall I put the car in reverse suddenly the engien started to race rear weels engaged and I shot backwards at a hight speed with both feet on the brakes I could not stop it the car spun around hitting anouther car causeing dammage to the outher car I was able to throw the car into parck and shut I off. What could have caosed the the throttle to stik in high gear like that it was almost like the cruze control took over and the car was eccelerating itself? I am baffled and afraid to drive it again even thought the the throttle is workng fine now HELP!

3 Replies

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Two things that might have happened.
1. As you said, it was very cold morning. When you stepped on the gas the first time the cable was frozen inside the line, pulling the throttle spring causing wide open throttle and you raced backward.

2. If your throttle body is full for carbon deposit (hasn't been maintained or cleaned for a while), in the cold winter, when you engage the throttle cable, the carbon deposit cause throttle spring to lock up at wide open throttle condition.

If this happens next time (God forbids), instead of shifting to "Park", you should shift to "Neutral", and turn off the motor. You may want to check the operation of the throttle cable, making sure that it is pulling and retracting freely, no frayed cable in the line. You may also want to remove the air intake hose, and liberally spray some carb cleaner into the throttle body to clean up the carbon deposit. Make sure you spray around the throttle spring, too. Get a clean rag and wipe the black carbon off.