Changed the throttle cable today...wow! Idle speed?

T.Doyle

Dedicated Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2016
Points
35
Location
Wiltshire
Model of Z
Z3 Roadster 2.0
First 'proper' post here (so hello, also!).

Changed the throttle cable in the Z3 2.0 today and what a difference it made! The original was so stiff as it was probably the original from 2000, it only had two modes; off or FULL POWER! Now I'm a complete newbie when it comes to mechanics, but this job was very simple! Just some common sense was needed!

So I guess what I'm saying is, for those of you who haven't changed your throttle cable from the original one, do it! It only cost me a mere £18 and 45 minutes of time, yet made all the difference.

The idle speed seems lower than before the change. What should the idle speed be? It's currently sat at about 600rpm?

Tom
 
As long as the engine doesn't stall it'll be fine. :)

Tony.
 
Like so many things on vehicles, they deteriorate so slowly over time that you never notice, until the day you change something and it's like "WOW" so different. Well done for getting stuck in and doing it Tom.:thumbsup:

Tony.
 
Just goes to show how much one can do themselves on their car without having a vast knowledge of repairs! JIM
 
I decided to bite the bullet on this job also....ordered a cable today, will swap it out over the weekend.

Which end is best to attack first? Pedal or engine bay or does it matter?
 
Attach the Pedal first - the engine end can be a bit fiddly. I recommend buying a small mirror (like a dentist mirror) from halfords or screwfix - they are only around a fiver. Then I recommend fastening something to the throttle to open it fully while you use the mirror to look underneath to see where the engine end of the cable sits. I used a piece of string and tied it to the open bonnet to hold it open.

See my comments in this thread - @Martint did manage to get his on in the end but he also struggled like I did for some time
https://zroadster.org/threads/accelerator-sticking.1232/#post-186973
 
I decided to bite the bullet on this job also....ordered a cable today, will swap it out over the weekend.

Which end is best to attack first? Pedal or engine bay or does it matter?
I first detached at pedal end. I then fixed the new cable as I took off each section of old cable. Be careful not to snap the plastic clips!
 
Good work - must have a check on mine - thanks for the reminder:)
 
Back
Top