1991 300D 2.5
 

While I was driving this morning I believe that my throttle cable broke. The car starts and runs fine, but when I step on the accelerator I get no response at all??? I've never had to replace one of these. Any help would be appreciated. Am I missing something?

there are clips that can break on each end, I tried looking up the parts on the buy parts tab, but got stymied... next step would be to have someone step on the accelerator while you trace what's broken.

Thanks. I'll get on it. Hoe difficult is it just to replace?

The last one I installed took about 10-15 seconds, of course I've done it several times before so I'd allow 1-2 minutes to complete the job on a 'first-time' basis.

After further inspection(someone else stepping on the acceleroator). I have now realized that the cable isn't broken, everything still moves as it was designed. It just seems like the engine is unresponsive...I just get a continuous idle. I can't rev the engine at all; the transmission will engage in D and R, but there is just no response from the accelerator. What could it be??
:confused:

are you SURE all is moving properly? I know it's hard to see the linkage on the IP on the60x series turboed motors. verify the fuel enrichment rod is moving on the IP. if it is... um how good do you feel about changing IP?
I have a spare?

There is a plastic bracket that holds a bellcrank to the underside of the intake manifold just above the cruise control, that also can fail (sometimes are over-tightened and cracked or damaged from removing the manifold without first disconnecting this part). Available from M-B or guys here usually, I too hope it isn't the IP.

Ah ha found the problem. After vstech's comment about the IP I decided to look a little closer. It was simply a matter of one of the rods slipping off of the ball on the linkage. All is good. Thanks guys.

Somebody ring the bell.

I would try to figure out why it did so, and if necessary R&R those parts that unhinged. You don't want that known failure to fail again putting you in a potentially dangerous road-situation down the line.

Perhaps the ball-socket joint(s) just need to be lubricated once in a while. I never lubed my ball and socket throttle linkages on my '83 SD, perhaps I was supposed to?

I was ahead of you on that one. I just finished lubing them with ATF.

"ATF" versus Mobil 1?

I use Mobil 1 on some automotive-related lubing projects.

Well I used what I readily available. I had towed back home(3 miles). I had it in the garage and that's all that I had on hand at the time. I've heard about the outstanding lubricating qualities of Mobil 1.

I wiped-down my bicycle chain with it (Mobil 1) simply because I'm too cheap to buy dedicated bicycle chain lube, and I don't really ride the bike all that much.

Now, if I could find good tires and tubes for it......

I vaguely remember reading a service bulletin (or recall) about the possibility of these connections popping off on some models. Does that ring a bell with anyone?