New here and this is my first post, hope you can help.
I got my daughter a 2001 Neon 4 door 2.0 auto. The gas peddle is really firm. So much so that when you try to accelerate, it is hard to add just a little gas. It will resist and when you push harder, open suddenly too much.
I replaced the throttle cable and the Transmission kick down cable but it is still firm.
Any Ideas? Has anyone else had this problem?
I tried a search but no luck.
Thanks in advance.

 

this may sound kind of wierd, but it may be the way you are pressing the gas pedal itself. the pedal is a "comfort" pedal which means it will move on a hinge, and then you push it down also. try pushing it from only one place such as just the bottom and see if it is different

 

spikeymikey87,
Thanks for the reply.
Yea I have tried from every position. If you get high on the pedal then it is a bit easier but your heel is off the floor so this is real uncomfortable. I have had many cars and this is the hardest. Is the spring located in the throttle body? Is it a replaceable part?

 

This may sound funny but after you get past the first 1/2 inch, the pedal feels normal. It is the first 1/2 inch that seems to really resist moving.

 

thats the same thing that i have, im pretty sure its just the pedal itself. i guess i just got used to it

 

mine does the same

 

check for this.... my ford explorer does that. where the throttle body plate closes up against the tb throat, it builds up some sticky gunk. every 3 months or so i have to remove the air cleaner and spray it out with carb or tb cleaner. when the gunk is there - once you kick it open its ok, but after you shut it off and it cools down it sticks again.

 

awesome info, ill have to try that in the morning

 

Thanks dhvaughan, I'll give that a try. My daughter does say it is worse when cold.

 

I did the fix last night. The throttle body on the 2ng generation is real easy to get to. I sprayed it wide open then started the car and sprayed as my daughter flicked the throttle. She drove for a while and says it is working much better and is no longer sticking. Time will tell. She took the car to school today and I will post after I talk to her this evening.
Thanks again.