# Accelerator Cable

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, ranger\
**Created:** [February 10, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149 "2011-02-10T17:44:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![agcasey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@agcasey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/agcasey)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149/1 "2011-02-10T17:44:26Z")

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I have a 1998 Ford Ranger. My problem is jerky application of acceleration. I note slack in the cable connecting the pedal to the engine throttle. Is there any way to adjust this cable length to remove the slack. If the answer is no, can you advise me on how to replace the cable.

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**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149/2 "2011-02-10T17:49:01Z")

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Have you held the throttle lever while someone pressed and released the accelerator to confirm that the problem is caused by the cable? If there is a problem with off idle acceleration the cause might be a coked up throttle body.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149/3 "2011-02-10T17:52:45Z")

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The problem might caused from a dirty throttle body. Aquire an aersol can of throttle body cleaner. Remove the air intake duct from the throttle body. Holding the throttle wide open, spray the throttle body with the cleaner for five seconds and then let it sit. Operate the throttle a few times and repeat. See if that solves the problem.

Tester

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**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149/4 "2011-02-10T18:28:29Z")

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Are you sure that the slack is in the accelerator cable and not the cruise control cable? It is normal for there to be some slack in the cruise control cable. Both attach to the throttle.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149/5 "2011-02-10T18:34:50Z")

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There’s usually an adjustment for the cable, but I don’t think the slack is causing the problem you describe.

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**Author:** ![agcasey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@agcasey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/agcasey)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/accelerator-cable/61149/6 "2011-02-10T21:26:07Z")

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My truck has no cruise control