1997 E320 ETA symptoms
 

Can anyone tell me what the symptoms are of a failed/failing ETA on this car? I can't find any good posts on it here. When you depress the accelerator, the pedal has to travel maybe an inch or two before it actually moves the car. That's the only symptom I'm experiencing right now. It's just this delayed response from the accelerator. Thanks.

For 97 with ME 2.1 , you should get a check engine light if there is a problem. This system is complete throttle by wire so any error will trip a code / light. 96 was the half electric throttle / half physical connection.

The throttle peddle potentiometer is near the brake master cylinder. Have a look at the cable and follow it back to the pedal. With the engine off push the pedal and observe the reaction under the hood.

Thanks for this info. It was manufactured in Sept. of 1996. It definitely has a throttle cable. The engine RPMs hover right at 750 or so when warm. Adjusting the cable doesn't do anything except increase the RPMs. So this isn't the ETA (electronic throttle actuator)?

The 97 ME 2.1 has a throttle cable that runs to the potentiometer near the brake master cylinder.

The 96 version has the throttle cable running to the engine.

What type do you have?

If the 96 version, there is a slip clutch and motor that takes care of throttle operation and I'd suspect that something is wrong there. You are probably driving on the mechanical limp mode. I have not repaired any of these.

The 97 ME 2.1 has no direct connection and is completely servo motor driven.

I will have to look tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure the cable comes through the firewall to a large rectangular metal device near the master cylinder. I don't know if I was clear with the symptom, but the pedal goes down about 2" and then suddenly you take off. It throws your head back into the headrest. There's no gentle/subtle acceleration with this car. There is no CEL illuminated or any other lights. It's just a problem from 0 to 10 m.p.h. It drives well over 10 m.p.h. I don't think that would be the limp mode then, right?