Engine racing

Hi all,

I left my '97 Accord sitting in a driveway for 12 days, and when I got
back, I found that the engine had started racing. Frequently when I'm
driving, it's like cruise control is engaged for 2-3 seconds after I
stop pressing the gas, and when I take the car out of gear (to change
gears, for example), the engine races, usually to around 4K, sometimes
almost into the red zone.

Does anyone have any idea what could have happened while the car was
sitting still that could cause this?

Many thanks.

-Joel Hoffman

 

frayed throttle cable sticking?

 

I left my '97 Accord sitting in a driveway for 12 days, and when I got

I don't think so. I don't understand how leaving the car for two
weeks could cause this.

Also, I've noticed that tapping the gas tends to bring the engine back
down to where it should be.

-Joel

 

I left my '97 Accord sitting in a driveway for 12 days, and when I got

One more data point:

I've noticed that tapping the gas tends to bring the engine idle back
to where it should be. Could a clogged something cause this?

Thanks.

-Joel

 

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Clean the throttle body. It gets condensates of gas vapor that gums it
up. That's why sitting can make it worse. Should be done occasionally
anyhow. Use google to find a DIY answer.

'Curly'

 

Also check the throttle cable. I had this happen to me on an old VW
and it turned out to be a throttle cable that had worn through it's
teflon liner (200K+ miles) and in cold weather ice was forming on it
and binding it.

nate

 

frayed cable can do this. it the pedal snaps back, it's got more
velocity and therefore momentum than a gradual release. check both
ends. it's a common problem on high mileage cars - but you don't reveal
that vital data.

before asking more questions, it might be handy if you tried the
suggestions made by all posters & report back on whether they helped you
finger the problem. otherwise we're all shooting in the dark.

 

Usually caused by a plugged PCV system that pumps oil into the throttle
body.

 

Maybe not a frayed throttle cable, but possibly a gummed one...
something collected on the cable where it slides into its sheath.
Depending on the environment it's in, it's more than possible for
something to settle while the car was parked.

 

All modern cars have some mechanism for preventing the sudden closing
of the throttle. It's an emissions requirement. Yours is acting up.

 

eh? since when????? what mechanism would this be?????