Throttle sensitivity, there is no buffer to the pedal?

2009 TOYOTA CAMRY
85,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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FABIAN CHARLTON
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  • 53 POSTS
The moment I press down in it, and it travels .5mm the car goes. I need some room to feel my foot pressing down. How can I fix this?
May 2, 2024 at 6:58 AM
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STEVE W.
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,304 POSTS
Unfortunately, there is no way to alter that, your pedal is a simple electronic item that changes resistance as soon as it moves from the at rest position. There are basically two potentiometers in the pedal assembly (like old style volume controls). One goes up in resistance while the other goes down as the pedal moves. The computer reads both to determine the amount the pedal moves and then opens the throttle body that amount. Now, being this is a Camry you might want to look up under the dash and verify that someone didn't install a "Pedal Commander" type unit. That is a box that goes between the connections on the pedal assembly and the car and doubles the throttle input. They seem to be another of the fad items that the younger folks think is a good idea to install on these cars to make them faster in races. They don't actually work any better than putting your foot to the floor, but it's a way to empty out a wallet.

https://pedalcommander.com/products/toyota-camry
May 3, 2024 at 2:39 AM
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FABIAN CHARLTON
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Oh no. This was a super simple car that was bought used to commute. It's as basic as can be. I tried looking up the answer and I saw something about a wire or something that could be adjusted but I honestly had information overload and couldn't comprehend what I was reading. Like how there is a cable to adjust tension for the E-brake. From what I was reading they made it sound like the pedal had that too.
May 3, 2024 at 2:50 AM
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STEVE W.
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,304 POSTS
Sorry, The E brake has an adjustment for it to keep them working but the throttle doesn't use a cable. It is just a spring-loaded lever that moves the potentiometers. Bolts to the floor with 2 bolts and a wire connection.
May 3, 2024 at 5:41 AM
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