Shop Saturn Accelerator Pedals

Greetings,

I have an intermittent problem. It has been ongoing for almost 5 years.

Driving along, the SES light will come on and the trans will be put into 'protected mode'. The engine is still running fine, but there is no acceleration. I can creep along enough to get to the curb or into someone's parking lot.

A scan reveals codes such as P2138, P1791, P1779 and also P0700. sometimes a scan will show no codes. EVERY time if I wait long enough(sometimes 10 minutes and other times 3 hours) the car will 'fix itself' and I can go on my merry way.

This car has been to the dealer at least 6 times concerning this problem. The last time the dealer had it was August 2010. The techs have 'fixed' various things(accelerator pedal, accelerator pedal switch, broken wire, wet c200 connector).

The problem still persists.

Has anyone dealt with this problem who could direct me in some fashion?

I have cleaned out the throat of the throttle body and throttle plate and have also come across a bulletin from September of 2003 which I believe does apply(# 03-06-04-043). The parts alone listed in the bulletin add up to around $1500 so I am trying to convince Saturn that since the problem occurred under warranty and was never fixed it should still be covered by Saturn

Thanks,
Tony V

The parts alone listed in the bulletin add up to around $1500 so I am trying to convince Saturn that since the problem occurred under warranty and was never fixed it should still be covered by Saturn

Good luck with that on an 8 year old car.

Additional Info:

As of today, the SES light is still on and the car will operate as designed, until the wrench light comes on. Trans goes into 'protected mode'

scan reveals PCM codes p0700, U1B07, P2138A. TCM codes U1B17, P1791

TCC datastream is out of whack:

engine speed -6656 rpm
ect -22 degF
vehicle speed 55 mph
app angle 39%
brake switch off
engine torque 6167 ft-lbs
gear ratio 1.00

All this while the car is idling in my driveway!

Could this indicate that a PCM replacement is in order?

My sister is having same problem with her 2003 Vue, did you ever find the cause?

This guy hasn't been back for three year. Please don't post to old threads, start one of your own.

I have a 2004 L300-2 3.0L and recently we've been having some weird issues with it. Every once in a while the engine will not turn over, try and try and it just won't turn over, then eventually it will and will run great. Just today my wife was at stop light and when she went to push on the gas nothing happened. So she turned off the car, and tried to turn it over and it wouldn't turn over. Five minutes later after trying it turned over and ran perfectly fine. Is a sensor out? It's not throwing any codes as of yet. So I don't know. Please help!

Another thing to think about is the electronic throttle control system. You did state that when she went to accelerate from a light nothing happened. I am assuming from reading that the engine was idling, but hitting that gas pedal didn't do anything, but the engine just continued idling. You really should be focusing on the TAC system if that is the case.

Reduced Engine Power Mode

When the ECM detects a condition with the TAC system, the ECM may enter a reduced engine power mode. Reduced engine power may cause one or more of the following conditions:

- Acceleration limiting - The ECM will continue to use the accelerator pedal for throttle control; however, the vehicle acceleration is limited.

- Limited throttle mode - The ECM will continue to use the accelerator pedal for throttle control; however, the maximum throttle opening is limited.

- Throttle default mode - The ECM will turn off the throttle actuator motor and the throttle will return to the spring loaded default position.

- Forced idle mode - The ECM will perform the following actions:

- Limit engine speed to idle by positioning the throttle position, or by controlling the fuel and spark if the throttle is turned off.
- Ignore the accelerator pedal input.
- Engine shutdown mode
- The ECM will disable fuel and de-energize the throttle actuator.

I have an 89 dodge omni (automatic) 2.2 liter straight 4, with possibly 80k+ (meter is possibly broken). when the car runs "even after letting run for a short while" the car has a high idle in park of between 1500 and 2000 rmps which go up and down (vaccum leak?). I've had this problem before with a 95 saturn sw2, and the mechanic told me "he cleaned out the manifold and the throttle body of carbon"

also when i drive the car it clunks into gear and drives much faster than normal, but ill note that the accelerator pedal might need to be replaced since it is very loose, but the car will accelerate to 15 mph on its own

anyone have an idea of what this could be, and what a solution would be?

i think you answered your own question. to me the accelerator pedal problem is related to your high idle.

check your accelerator cable. sounds like is seizing up somewhere

I have an 89 dodge omni (automatic) 2.2 liter straight 4, with possibly 80k+ (meter is possibly broken). when the car runs "even after letting run for a short while" the car has a high idle in park of between 1500 and 2000 rmps which go up and down (vaccum leak?). I've had this problem before with a 95 saturn sw2, and the mechanic told me "he cleaned out the manifold and the throttle body of carbon"

also when i drive the car it clunks into gear and drives much faster than normal, but ill note that the accelerator pedal might need to be replaced since it is very loose

anyone have an idea of what this could be?

first post by the way :) nice place you guys have here!

have you checked your throttle linkage adjustment?Butterfly shut at idle?Make sure that the throttle linkage or cable does not bind. Have you checked for a vacuum leak?Has your check engine light ever came on?A bad idle air control motor could cause this or computer control of.

Ist time mechanic wants advice on replacing my CTS Throttle Body Assembly. Do I need a dealers screwdriver to undo the four bolts. (Can't see down the tunnel) does anyone have access to the GM service manual pages on this? How about any grease/sealer around new seals? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Ford T

You didn't mention why you're replacing the Throttle Body Assy but there is a TSB out
Figured I'd let you know about it in case it applies........


Subject:Intermittent No Power MIL With TPS TAC TCM DTCs Set - keywords PIINSI 3.2L acceleration check connector contamination display driveability DTC ECM engine hard harness hesitate hesitation idle #PIP3370A - (04/25/2007) Models:2003 Cadillac CTS

This PI was superseded to update part numbers. Please discard PIP3370.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:


Concern on the 2003 Cadillac CTS of a lack of power, stalls or when pressing down on the accelerator pedal the vehicle will not accelerate.

This condition can be intermittent or have the MIL "On" with ECM, TPS, TCM and TAC DTCs with a reduction in engine power message displayed on the IPC.

Recommendation/Instructions:




The diagnostics may lead you to replace the TPS which is part of the throttle body assembly. The concern may not be with the throttle body assembly.

The concern may be with the engine harness connector and terminals to the throttle body assembly.

Before replacement of the throttle body assembly, check the engine harness connector and wire terminals to the throttle body assembly and replace as necessary.



Refer to SI Document ID # 303631, testing for intermittent and poor connections and SI Document # 303628, for testing for electrical intermittent.
Engine harness connector pigtail part numbers GM 15306420 or Saturn 15318094 are available.



Engine harness connector terminal part number (six are needed) 9628855 are also available and can be located in electrical terminal kit (Yazaki Tray 15 position 13).

Use self-sealing connectors to make the connection and do not solder the wires. Refer to SI Document ID # 303648, splicing copper wire using splice sleeves.
Throttle body assembly part number 09128412. Refer to SI Document ID # 799178, throttle body assembly replacement and SI document number 799179, for throttle body service.
Note: GM dealers must call a Saturn dealer to order part number 15318094, if the GM part number 15306420 is not available.
For additional information on the TAC system, refer to SI Document ID # 820892, for TAC system description of operation.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.